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Reuters
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Jan 15, 2010
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Britain's big freeze hits John Lewis sales

By
Reuters
Published
Jan 15, 2010


LONDON, Jan 15 (Reuters) - John Lewis [JLP.UL] showed on Friday 15 January the impact of heavy snow and sub-zero temperatures on British retailers, reporting a 1.4 percent drop in department store sales for the week to Jan. 9.

The employee-owned firm, viewed as a barometer of British retail spending, said sales at its 28 department stores and one John Lewis at home store, were 53.8 million pounds ($87.9 million), down from 54.6 million pounds in the same period last year.

"Footfall was significantly depressed in many shops through the middle part of the week and a substantial number of trading hours were sacrificed in order to close some branches early on Tuesday (12 January) and Wednesday (13 January)," said Andrew Murphy, director of operational development.

John Lewis, which earlier this month posted a record Christmas performance, said the overall sales fall reflected a 5.6 percent drop in sales of electrical and home technology products and a 1.2 percent decline in homewares.

However, fashion sales rose 4.8 percent, reflecting robust demand for gloves and thermal underwear.

John Lewis also owns the 222-store Waitrose supermarket chain.

Week to Jan. 9 sales here jumped 21.8 percent to 92.5 million pounds, underscoring Waitrose's current position as the UK's fastest growing grocer.

"As the big chill gripped Britain, consumers' desire for warming comfort food helped drive a strong sales uplift," said Tony Solomons, retail director, Waitrose.

With consumers fearing the weather might tighten its grip there was also evidence of panic buying, with sales of corned beef and Spam up 70 percent and 30 percent respectively.

Waitrose also noted sales of dishwasher salt up 400 percent, which served "as an impromptu treatment for iced paths and driveways". (Reporting by James Davey, editing by Mark Potter)

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