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Dependent store John Lewis took more than half a billion pounds over an “extraordinary” Christmas period as clothes and electrical items proved distinctively popular with shoppers.
Sales rose by 9.3 per cent to hit £596m in the five weeks to the end of December, the London-headquartered retailer said. John Lewis, which has 35 stores, is considered a bellwether of the retail exertion but on this occasion its figures are not expected to reflect the performance of the broader sector.
John Lewis’ click and get service helped to increase online revenues by 28 per cent, with the numeral of shoppers taking advantage of the time-saving system nearly doubling. Like-for-like sales, excluding new store openings, rose six per cent.
The friends said its price-matching pledge helped it increase its retail share in all categories. Electronic items such as Kindles and iPads were among its most in favour items, while bedding, linen and cashmere sweaters also sold well.
Source: London Loves Business