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John Lewis sales fall as Britons opt for sunshine John Lewis sales fall as Britons opt for sunshine
(35 minutes later)
The department store group John Lewis said its sales have dipped slightly as Britons chose to enjoy some rare sunshine rather than shop.The department store group John Lewis said its sales have dipped slightly as Britons chose to enjoy some rare sunshine rather than shop.
The employee-owned group, which has been outperforming Britain's broader retail sector for about two years, said on Friday its department store sales fell 0.1% year-on-year to £61.9m ($95.6m) in the week to April 20. The employee-owned group, which has been outperforming Britain's broader retail sector for about two years, said on Friday its department store sales fell 0.1% year-on-year to £61.9m in the week to 20 April.
"Fashion sales benefited from the change in weather. However, the first sunshine of spring kept a number of customers in their gardens rather than out shopping," it said."Fashion sales benefited from the change in weather. However, the first sunshine of spring kept a number of customers in their gardens rather than out shopping," it said.
Though fashion sales rose 3.9%, sales in homeware fell 2.9% and were down 0.7% in electricals and home technology.Though fashion sales rose 3.9%, sales in homeware fell 2.9% and were down 0.7% in electricals and home technology.
Analysts pointed to a tough comparative performance in the same week last year, when TV sales were booming because of the "Digital Switch-Over" in London, while wet spring weather was helpful for homeware trade.Analysts pointed to a tough comparative performance in the same week last year, when TV sales were booming because of the "Digital Switch-Over" in London, while wet spring weather was helpful for homeware trade.
Though Britain has avoided a triple-dip recession, many retailers are finding the going tough as consumers fret over job security, a squeeze on incomes and government cuts.Though Britain has avoided a triple-dip recession, many retailers are finding the going tough as consumers fret over job security, a squeeze on incomes and government cuts.
John Lewis has consistently bucked the gloom and its department store sales are up 10.8% in the first 12 weeks of its 2013-14 year.John Lewis has consistently bucked the gloom and its department store sales are up 10.8% in the first 12 weeks of its 2013-14 year.
"Following on from a lacklustre CBI distributive trades survey for April released earlier this week, the recent softer trend in John Lewis' sales fans concern that consumers may be reining in their spending," said IHS Global Insight chief economist Howard Archer."Following on from a lacklustre CBI distributive trades survey for April released earlier this week, the recent softer trend in John Lewis' sales fans concern that consumers may be reining in their spending," said IHS Global Insight chief economist Howard Archer.
John Lewis also owns upmarket supermarket Waitrose. Its weekly sales rose 7.3% to £115m, reinforcing its position as one of Britain's fastest growing grocers.John Lewis also owns upmarket supermarket Waitrose. Its weekly sales rose 7.3% to £115m, reinforcing its position as one of Britain's fastest growing grocers.