Ash4781 Posted April 24, 2009 Share Posted April 24, 2009 http://www.johnlewispartnership.co.uk/Disp...vigationId=1421 http://www.johnlewispartnership.co.uk/Disp...avigationId=819 Focus on good shopkeeping as trading climate remains challengingThe outcome for the week was as we expected. With one trading day less than last year, and two glorious spring days across the country on Easter Monday and last Saturday, we fell well short of last year. In the end our -11.6 per cent score was helped by brisk weekday trade. This left us -7 per cent for the two weeks of Easter against last year, but +2.5 per cent over two years ago. In a relatively thin week, there were still lots of highlights to celebrate and exploit across the division. Once again, fashion had the best of the exchanges at +5 per cent for the Easter period. Childrenswear prospered through the school holidays, with girlswear and children's shoes in the +30 per cent category. Toys continued its purple patch, with outdoor leading the way. Within menswear, branded casualwear was in demand, while sports clothing and shoes were in top form. Across our womenswear floors, shoes were the pick of the crop, with sales of sandals responding quickly to the sun. The weather influence also shone through the Home results, with outdoor living and our vibrant picnicware selling well. The tasteful Easter buy concluded with a record year, and our wedding promotion launched with encouraging early sales. Among the heavy furnishing departments, it was all about meeting a highly competitive market, but we did exactly that robustly, providing shops with many opportunities to explain our value. In EHT, our customers' hunger for new technology was once again demonstrated, with new product in both the audio and IT buyerships securing their progress. With a day less trade, the English shops could not match last year's figures; the nearest being Knight & Lee and Cambridge. Bluewater did, however, enjoy the first stages of its refurbishment with the extended express furnishing offer. John Lewis Direct's advance was more subdued than we have been used to, but within their score, fashion confirmed the excitement of what is to come. So, with Easter behind us, we have an accurate read of trade for the year to date at -6.6 per cent; clearly very challenging, but somewhat better than we predicted. No doubt this is partly due to the excellent operational performance we have achieved across the division. That is good news indeed as, if ever there is a time for the basics to be right, it is now. So let's keep up the focus on availability, outstanding shopkeeping and exemplary service. Our customers will appreciate it, however tough the short-term results may be. Andy Street Managing Director, John Lewis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bajista Posted April 24, 2009 Share Posted April 24, 2009 http://www.johnlewispartnership.co.uk/Disp...vigationId=1421http://www.johnlewispartnership.co.uk/Disp...avigationId=819 My god. A business that still critically and fairly analyses its performance rather than sprouting spin and doublespeak. Maybe there is still hope for humanity yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quine Posted April 24, 2009 Share Posted April 24, 2009 http://www.johnlewispartnership.co.uk/Disp...vigationId=1421http://www.johnlewispartnership.co.uk/Disp...avigationId=819 I like John Lewis. It's about the only shop where you can get good service and advice worth listening to these days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dubbya Posted April 24, 2009 Share Posted April 24, 2009 http://www.johnlewispartnership.co.uk/Disp...vigationId=1421http://www.johnlewispartnership.co.uk/Disp...avigationId=819 Ever been to the High Wycombe John Lewis ? I never knew so many X5's/Merc ML's even existed. No recession there - hardly a parking space in fact Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobthe~ Posted April 24, 2009 Share Posted April 24, 2009 This left us -7 per cent for the two weeks of Easter against last year, but +2.5 per cent over two years ago. deja vu. Anyone remember how house prices were still over 10% higher than last year, then 10% higher than 3 years ago? Then it all went quiet on that front. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lulu Posted April 24, 2009 Share Posted April 24, 2009 I like John Lewis. It's about the only shop where you can get good service and advice worth listening to these days. Yes, I spent a large amount of money just there the other week. They are the only electrical retailer worth bothering with these days. I always get the impression that the customer is cared for and they give out proper advice unlike some of the other electrical retail stores, the 5 yr guarentee on TV's is not to be sniffed at either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MRMX9 Posted April 24, 2009 Share Posted April 24, 2009 Most ordinary folks cannot afford to shop at John Lewis anyway or Waitrose! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lulu Posted April 24, 2009 Share Posted April 24, 2009 Most ordinary folks cannot afford to shop at John Lewis anyway or Waitrose! That is rubbish, their electronics department is no more expensive than Curry's etc and for the rest of their stuff, you do get what you pay for. Ok some of their stuff maybe is high end but they do cater to the regular market too. That and the experience of shopping there is far superior to what you get from Tescos, Asda et al where I am convinced the customers are given a mass lobotomy on their way in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MRMX9 Posted April 24, 2009 Share Posted April 24, 2009 That is rubbish, their electronics department is no more expensive than Curry's etc and for the rest of their stuff, you do get what you pay for. Ok some of their stuff maybe is high end but they do cater to the regular market too. That and the experience of shopping there is far superior to what you get from Tescos, Asda et al where I am convinced the customers are given a mass lobotomy on their way in. Very Waitrose - not everyone feels the need to spend £2.50 on a couple of pretty looking and freshly washed carrots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
'Bart' Posted April 24, 2009 Share Posted April 24, 2009 and two glorious spring days Can somebody clarify which kind of weather is best for the retail trade? We know that snow is bad, and if it's bucketing it down, that's also bad it seems. Now sunny weather is bad. Is the ideal weather for retailers mild with a chance of occasional misty drizzle? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrashedOutAndBurned Posted April 24, 2009 Share Posted April 24, 2009 Can somebody clarify which kind of weather is best for the retail trade? Always wet and gloomy. A sunny day causes people to take joy in being human and sit in the garden/go to the beach/park/countryside rather than splurge on consumer tat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNACR Posted April 24, 2009 Share Posted April 24, 2009 Always wet and gloomy. A sunny day causes people to take joy in being human and sit in the garden/go to the beach/park/countryside rather than splurge on consumer tat. Yes, rain is great for covered centres. Sunshine is a bad for most things except sun related ie summer fashion, garden furniture, sun tan lotion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyoto Posted April 24, 2009 Share Posted April 24, 2009 Sunshine is a bad for most things except sun related ie summer fashion, garden furniture, sun tan lotion. And beer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beggar Thy Children Posted April 24, 2009 Share Posted April 24, 2009 Current attention on MPs and their 'John Lewis list' making them reign in their spending? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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