John Lewis warns over tough trading as sales fall February 4, 2011 John Lewis reported a second consecutive fall in weekly sales at its department stores and warned of tougher trading ahead as shoppers face higher prices, taxes and public spending cuts. However, the employee-owned group, which has long outperformed the broader retail sector, said on Friday it was still budgeting for growth for the year to [...]
Waitrose sales top £5bn February 3, 2011 Overall growth of almost 10 per cent over the past 12 months meant that Waitrose total sales hit £5bn for the first time in the year to 1 February 2011. The figure is made up of sales from Waitrose branches, Direct Services and food halls, as well as business partners, and was boosted by an [...]
Waitrose hits £5bn sales in record year at grocer January 31, 2011 WAITROSE has surpassed £5bn in sales for a year for the first time ever it said yesterday. Total sales growth for the 12 months starting 1 February 2010 now stands at almost ten per cent. Waitrose managing director Mark Prices said yesterday: “Five billion is a fitting finale to a year of growth and consistent [...]
John Lewis sales fall as shoppers feel pinch January 28, 2011 Department store John Lewis suffered a decline in sales last week, a sign that an increase in VAT sales tax has further weakened already fragile UK consumer spending. The retailer, which also owns supermarket chain Waitrose, said its department store sales fell 2.2 per cent to £50.1m in the week to January 22. Sales in [...]
FTSE climbs up from sluggish start January 24, 2011 From a sluggish start, the FTSE climbed until almost back through the 6,000 barrier, before falling slightly to close up 47.6 points or 0.81 per cent at 5,943.85. Defensive stocks gave the index strength while the market shrugged off early fears about banks after Saturday’s speech by John Vickers, chair of the Independent Commission on [...]
John Lewis in sharp sales rise January 21, 2011 Sales growth at department store chain John Lewis slowed dramatically last week as consumers tightened their belts after spending freely in the post-Christmas sales. The employee-owned retailer, which also runs upmarket grocery chain Waitrose, said on Friday department store sales increased 4.1 per cent to £55.8m in the week to January 15. Sales in the [...]
John Lewis sales jump ahead of VAT hike January 14, 2011 Sales at department store chain John Lewis rocketed last week as shoppers rushed to buy furniture and electrical goods ahead of an increase in VAT sales tax. John Lewis, which also runs grocery chain Waitrose, said it also benefited from an extra day of holiday compared with the same week the year before, and from [...]
M&S sales rise but year ahead set to be harsh January 11, 2011 MARKS & SPENCER saw sales rise in the key Christmas period but the retailer warned that 2011 would be tough, with austerity measures and the spectre of inflation rises to take their toll. Same-store sales rose 2.8 per cent in the UK in the 13 weeks to 1 January despite the impact of the snow. [...]
Ocado sales increase but jury still out January 10, 2011 ONLINE grocer Ocado yesterday reported a 27 per cent sales rise in the four weeks to Christmas – but some analysts still questioned the company’s progress following a troubled float. The firm posted gross sales of £50.9m for the period, helped by more customers shopping online instead of going to supermarkets in freezing weather conditions. [...]
Ocado sales on track despite weather January 10, 2011 Online grocer Ocado reported a 26.7 per cent rise in December sales as the popularity of internet shopping and upmarket foods helped it to thrive despite disruption from severe winter weather. The loss-making group, whose shares have been on a roller-coaster ride since they floated in July, said the rise in December gross sales followed [...]