John lewis: ‘working much harder’
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Sales at its 26 department stores were 6 per cent up on post-Easter trading week last year. Patrick Lewis, director of retail operations, said the figures were “good but do not represent a
change in the economy. We are having to work much harder than we did last year.” Sales of TVs and computers were up 14 and30 per cent respectively. Food-related products were also up 3 per
cent, with internet sales rising 52 per cent.Lewis said the company was “making up ground” in fashion, with sales of knitwear and men’s suits well ahead of last year. However, sales of
furniture and sun-related products were facing a “tough time”, he warned. The company’s 187 Waitrose food shops had a “difficult week”, with sales down 10.7 per cent to £75.4 million. Varied
school holidays and mixed weather were to blame for the fall, according to Lewis.