31 August 2001, 13:12 John Lewis week to Aug 25 dept store sales up 5.8 pct; food up 6.8 pct
LONDON (AFX) - The John Lewis Partnership said in the week to Aug
25 sales in its department stores increased 5.8 pct compared to last
year, while sales at its Waitrose food chain were up 6.8 pct. Total
sales increased 6.1 pct.
John Lewis said department store sales in the four weeks to Aug 25
were up 7.3 pct, food sales were up 6.7 pct and total sales increased
6.9 pct.
The group's estimate of department store sales for the half-year as
a whole is for an increase of 9.4 pct on 2000-2001, with food up 4.5
pct and total sales up 7.0 pct.
Gareth Thomas, director of selling and customer services for the
department stores, said the searing temperatures of last Saturday in
the south of England -- which saw a shortfall on sales of close on 10
pct for the day -- took the division below estimate for the whole week.
Nine branches failed to match last year's sales, although no fewer than
seven put on double-figure percentage gains.
At Waitrose, the long Bank holiday weekend stimulated sales of
fresh and barbecue foods and drinks. As a result, the supermarkets beat
estimates and last year's sales comfortably.
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