John Lewis battles snow to deliver 6.7% growth last week

The department store group said that sales in the week to January 19 rose to £59.5m “despite a quiet Friday and Saturday”. Like-for-like sales increased 5%.

A strong performance in electricals and home technology – up 29.6% – offset a 6.8% slump in fashion sales and a 1.7% drop in homewares sales.

John Lewis retail operations development director Simon Russell said the “Herculean” efforts of staff to “keep our shops open and safe for customers” as well as minimised disruption at its distribution centre had allowed the retailer to defy the weather.

He added: “Johnlewis.com once again flexed its muscles and showed how resilient it can be during bad weather with a fantastic 40% growth, which to me illustrates the power of John Lewis being an omnichannel retailer.

Full marks, too, go to the contact centres in Hamilton and Didsbury, which handled 20% growth in sales.

“For the shops missing the worst of the weather, Glasgow led the way followed by Oxford Street and Trafford, while Swindon and Knight & Lee deserve special mentions, both recording sound growth despite their regions being heavily impacted by snow.”

The retailer said sales of tablets, wellington boots and juicers were strong.

Sister grocer Waitrose reported a total sales rise of 8.7% to £108m during the week as shoppers stocked up ahead of the weekend’s snowfall.

Waitrose supply chain director David Jones said: “Snowfall across the country towards the end of the week prompted shoppers to stock up on everyday staples and winter warming comfort foods, with particularly strong sales on Thursday as shoppers prepared for the arrival of sub-zero conditions.”

Baked beans sales were up 43%, long-life milk 44% and dishwasher salt – used to clear driveways of snow – rose 138%.