Department store John Lewis has reported a 26% slide in first-half profits due to a damp Bank Holiday, a shift in the calendar for Back to School and cooler weather in general.
Figures show that online sales rose 19.3%, with 36 stores achieving rises for the same period as the precious year and that year-on-year sales increased by 11%.
However, trading profits across the partnership were flat.
Director of retail services at John Lewis, Barry Matheson, said: “As new product floods into our shops and online the focus is on exploiting that newness and innovation in our assortments. September will be a barometer of how customers are feeling, giving us an early indication of the strength of seasonal trade ahead and I have every confidence that we will not be disappointed.”
Chairman, Sir Charlie Mayfield, added: "Conditions in the market will remain difficult, especially in grocery where there is little sign of any price inflation.
"However, I expect sales in both Waitrose and John Lewis to perform comparatively well against the market, helped by promising new ranges and online capability."
