John Lewis gets further boost from Kin label

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
Jul 24, 2018

John Lewis Partnership sales continued to be driven by its Waitrose supermarkets last week as the seven days to July 21 saw its total company turnover rising 2.1% to almost £214 million.

But the John Lewis department stores chain rose just a tiny 0.7%. However, within that, the firm’s Fashion directory was the star performer and womenswear was particularly strong as well.

Fashion sales as a whole rose 4.5% and womenswear sales were up by an even stronger 7.4% year-on-year. Once again, this was driven by success in its own-brand ranges, that were up 12% overall, with a standout performance from Kin. The Kin label really has been a hugely popular option at the chain for quite a few months and this time round, its sales rose by a stunning 49%, offering further evidence of the good sense of John Lewis’s new, own-label-focused strategy.

Meanwhile, the EHT (electricals and home tech) directory’s  sales were up 4.9% with wearable technology products performing well, the company said.

But Home sales continued to struggle as interiors product proved a challenge for the firm. Sales fell 6.3% in the seven-day period, although there were some pockets of strength. Hydration products were up 30% and summer party products were up 13%, both reflecting the ongoing hot weather.