Sales slide 9.7% at John Lewis
Friday 14th November 2008, 2:13PM GMT.
Sales fell 9.7 per cent at John Lewis last week as economic uncertainties continued to deter shoppers.
John Lewis is seen as a high street bellwether and the sharp decline in sales is an indicator of the fragile state of the high street.
However, the department store chain said home entertainment sales were strong as consumers increasingly stay in rather than spend money on going out.
High-definition televisions and Blu-ray DVD players were a big seller, while the retailer saw its best week ever for Wii sales.
Online shopping continues to be a hit with customers, with internet sales up 12.3 per cent.
However, most of its stores reported double-digit falls, with only new site Cambridge in positive territory.
“The latest grim John Lewis data reinforces suspicions that retailers face a very difficult Christmas period, while life looks likely to remain tough for some considerable time thereafter,” said Howard Archer of Global Insight.
Sales at Waitrose, the John Lewis Partnership’s premium grocer, were broadly flat, with only a 0.6 per cent rise.
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