John Lewis Christmas barometer

Tuesday 11 November 2014

This week's big story: Monty's Christmas

Monty's Christmas has received over 16 million views on social media. The advert racked up 7 million views on social media in 24 hours, seven times as many as at the same point last year.

Weekly trading update

This week has seen solid sales of £95.7m, +5.1% on last year and week on week +3.9%. Online sales were +17.0% year on year.

In a week which saw the coldest day of the year so far customers turned to our winter assortments. Our fashion directorate posted a +6.0% year on year sales increase. Particularly strong performers were girls' onesies and men's slippers +86% and +10% year on year respectively along with cashmere roll necks +80% week on week.

Home posted strong sales at +9.2% year on year with bedroom furniture +31% and sofa beds +12%.  Bedding saw a +10% year on year increase with faux fur bed throws +36% week on week and Dreamland electric blankets +85% week on week.

Our EHT assortment experienced more modest growth +1.0% year on year influenced by comparison with last year's later iPad launch. The new iPad still remains one of the most popular products with our 3 year guarantee promotion, but the comparative launch timings are different year on year. Within EHT, washer dryers were +18% year on year and heating +115% on last week with the Dyson Nickel Fan heater +228% week on week.

The week saw the launch of our Christmas advert, 'Monty's Christmas' which has received over 16 million views on social media. The advert racked up 7 million views on social media in 24 hours, seven times as many as at the same point last year. By the end of the week 'Monty' became the most searched for term on our website. This year the ad will be supported by an in-store experience, 'Monty's Den', where people can meet Monty and Mabel using interactive technology.

Andrew Murphy, retail director at John Lewis, said: 'With the weather turning colder, our customers have really shifted into winter mode. They've been purchasing duvets, throws and electric blankets along with preparing their homes for Christmas guests with increasing sales of sofa beds and bedroom furniture. It's also pleasing to see such a strong result from our fashion assortment after the impact of warmer temperatures earlier this season.'    

All figures quoted are total sales including VAT

  • 5.1% year on year increase
  • 3.9% week on week increase
  • 95.7m sterling total
  • 17% year on year increase johnlewis.com


What Britain's buying this week

  • Dyson Nickel Fan Heater +228%
  • Dreamland electric blankets +85%
  • Cashmere roll necks +80%
  • Faux fur bed throws +36%
  • Sofa beds +12%

Notes to editors

John Lewis - John Lewis operates 43 John Lewis shops across the UK (31 department stores, ten John Lewis at home and shops at St Pancras International and Heathrow Terminal 2) as well as johnlewis.com. It is part of the John Lewis Partnership, the UK's largest example of worker co-ownership where all 30,000 staff are Partners in the business. John Lewis, 'Multichannel Retailer of the Year 2014'¹ , 'Best Overall Retailer'² and 'Best Retailer 2014'³, typically stocks more than 350,000 separate lines in its department stores across fashion, home and technology. Johnlewis.com stocks over 280,000 products, and is consistently ranked one of the top online shopping destinations in the UK. John Lewis Insurance offers a range of comprehensive insurance products - home, car, wedding and event, travel and pet insurance and life cover - delivering the values of expertise, trust and customer service expected from the John Lewis brand.

¹ Oracle Retail Week Awards 2014
² Verdict Consumer Satisfaction Awards 2014
³ Which? Awards 2014.


Enquiries

For further information please contact:

Email: johnlewis@brands2life.com
Telephone: 0207 592 1200