Shoppers respond to the first signs of spring at John Lewis
12 March 2010 09:48
John Lewis has announced "another fantastic week of trade" in the week to March 6th, with a sales rise of 16% on last year, with fashion and home delivering "superb performances".
In a statement, Jill Little, merchandise director at John Lewis, said: "It seems that the first signs of spring inspired our customers to get out and about. In addition, we matched a competitor promotion with great success, reflected by particularly strong results in areas such as fashion accessories, beauty and handbags".
Overall fashion sales increased 21% on the year, with menswear performing particularly well, at 24% up on last year.
Ms Little continued: "The 2009–10 results are a true testament to all of our hard work and collective achievement over the last year. While the weeks ahead of us look unpredictable and potentially challenging, the announcement of the partnership bonus yesterday allows us to reflect back on the year just gone with satisfaction and pride".
At Waitrose, total sales increased 12.1% on last year. Personnel director Ailsa Emerson attributed much of the success to "the large number of small food and drink businesses who supply us".
She added: "The opening of our Storrington branch on Thursday saw the expansion of one such smaller company into more stores. 'Yummy mummies' Sarah Smith and Zoë Meredith have secured a new contract to supply their Yummy Lollies! 100 per cent fruit ice lollies to 10 Waitrose stores in the south, just a year after they saw their lollies introduced into one branch.
"Sarah and Zoë represent a growing army of small food businesses in Britain. Such small-scale innovation is key to maintaining Britain's thriving independent food industry.
"Another example is the colourfully named 'Nutty Tarts' – two mums from St Neots, who met at the school gates and realised they both loved baking. Deborah Armiger and Rachel Warwick started making cakes for school fetes and are now making over 500 cakes a week – supplying 23 of our shops in the Cambridgeshire area".
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