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| John Lewis Christmas sales driven by online growth | John Lewis Christmas sales driven by online growth |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Online purchases drove sales growth at John Lewis over the Christmas period, the department store has reported. | |
| Total like-for-like sales rose 4.8% to £777m in the five weeks to 27 December, with shop sales flat, but online purchases up 19%. | Total like-for-like sales rose 4.8% to £777m in the five weeks to 27 December, with shop sales flat, but online purchases up 19%. |
| Click-and-collect represented 56% of online sales, overtaking home delivery, the firm said in a trading update. | Click-and-collect represented 56% of online sales, overtaking home delivery, the firm said in a trading update. |
| The figures come at the start of a big week for retailers, with updates also due from Marks & Spencer and Tesco. | The figures come at the start of a big week for retailers, with updates also due from Marks & Spencer and Tesco. |
| Andy Street, John Lewis managing director, said: "This year confirmed the new shape of trade for Christmas, with an early peak at the end of November driven by Black Friday and last minute gift buying." | Andy Street, John Lewis managing director, said: "This year confirmed the new shape of trade for Christmas, with an early peak at the end of November driven by Black Friday and last minute gift buying." |
| Black Friday, which took place on 28 November, brought the company its biggest sales week in 150 years, and was up 22% on last year. | Black Friday, which took place on 28 November, brought the company its biggest sales week in 150 years, and was up 22% on last year. |
| Sales of electrical and home technology products led the way on Black Friday, and finished with a 6.8% year-on-year rise for the five week period. | Sales of electrical and home technology products led the way on Black Friday, and finished with a 6.8% year-on-year rise for the five week period. |
| Homeware growth was 2.3% up on last year for the five week period. Fashion and beauty increased by 7.8% on last year, helped by "very strong" online trading, John Lewis said. | Homeware growth was 2.3% up on last year for the five week period. Fashion and beauty increased by 7.8% on last year, helped by "very strong" online trading, John Lewis said. |
| 'Absolutely critical' | 'Absolutely critical' |
| John Lewis is also pressing ahead with plans to grow its store numbers from 42 to 65, with a focus on locations such as Birmingham, Leeds and Oxford. | John Lewis is also pressing ahead with plans to grow its store numbers from 42 to 65, with a focus on locations such as Birmingham, Leeds and Oxford. |
| Despite the big jump in online shopping, Mr Street said establishing a physical shop presence is key to winning internet customers because they frequently browse products before ordering online. | Despite the big jump in online shopping, Mr Street said establishing a physical shop presence is key to winning internet customers because they frequently browse products before ordering online. |
| "The role of the shop is absolutely critical in providing the online sales," he said. | "The role of the shop is absolutely critical in providing the online sales," he said. |
| News of how other big retailers have faired will come this week. | News of how other big retailers have faired will come this week. |
| On Thursday, M&S, whose online deliveries last month suffered delays, is due to give an update on trading. | On Thursday, M&S, whose online deliveries last month suffered delays, is due to give an update on trading. |
| And on the same day, Tesco will also update investors on sales, amid reports that the supermarket giant could announce big changes in the way it deals with suppliers. | And on the same day, Tesco will also update investors on sales, amid reports that the supermarket giant could announce big changes in the way it deals with suppliers. |
| Incorrectly booking payments from suppliers was at the centre of Tesco's 2014 accounting debacle that led to a £263m overstatement in profits. | Incorrectly booking payments from suppliers was at the centre of Tesco's 2014 accounting debacle that led to a £263m overstatement in profits. |