John Lewis reveals tough week

UK department store chain John Lewis today said a busy schedule of televised sporting events contributed to a 1.4% decline in sales last week.

As well as the distraction of FA Cup football and Six Nations rugby, John Lewis said the fall of Mother’s Day on the previous Sunday kept shoppers from its stores and depressed figures for the trading week to last Saturday.

It is the second time in the last month that John Lewis has posted negative weekly sales, following a drop of 3.4% in the week to February 16.

Personnel director Eric Gregory said the shortfall seen on the Sunday outstripped the remaining six days of trading, when sales were higher.

He added: “This was a difficult week for comparisons, what with the fall of Mother’s Day on Sunday, the unseasonable weather and Saturday’s sporting events.”

Branches at Oxford Street and Aberdeen exceeded last year’s figures, as well as the chain’s internet operation John Lewis Direct. In Oxford Street, fashion sales were the highest while Aberdeen saw strong trading in floor coverings, china and womenswear.