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Britons are taking to their beds with bottles of wine to do online shopping, the latest sales figures from John Lewis suggest.
The department store said demand for its bedroom furniture and online store soared in the week to 15 August.
Meanwhile, sister store Waitrose reported a 17% rise in wine sales.
But sales at John Lewis, regarded as a barometer of High Street spending, fell for the second week running, 1.4% to £46.5 million.
The partnership said the figures “serve to remind us that 2009 remains, even now, the most challenging of years for retailers”. The Waitrose figures were much stronger, with sales soaring 10.4% over the week.
Following an industry report this week that showed Waitrose is winning back middle-class shoppers from discount rivals, an indication that “recession panic” is lessening, the supermarket said shoppers bought 30% more antipasti than in the same seven days last year, and spent 42% more on the retailer's Mediterranean range Delicatezze.
Demand for olives rose 28%, while “exceptional” interest in herbs and spices led to a 25% rise in year-on-year sales.
Reader views (1)
Given the 20-30% price rises needed to stand still due to the collapse of the £ against the Euro and dollar, and the swingeing duty increases on wine, does this not in fact imply a downturn of some 10%? It would useful to see the figures expressed in bottles, not £.
- Nick, Berks, UK
