Department store John Lewis has revealed its sales dropped 2.1% last week as the retailer commented that shoppers would leave their Christmas shopping to the last minute as Christmas Day falls on a Sunday this year.
Figures show that fashion sales increased 1.2% last week which was driven by a 7.2% rise in womenswear sales, in particular cashmere being popular with both men and women and assisted menswear to a 3.3% rise in sales.
Elsewhere, home sales were flat year-on-year, however furniture sustained a strong run-rate with a growth of 6.9%. Other figures show that dining chair and dining table sales rose 21% and 48% respectively and upholstery sales increased 16%.
The electricals and home technology categories had a much harder week as its sales decreased 8.3% year-on-year, however the Dyson Supersonic hairdryer was the bestselling item during the week.
