John Lewis posts weekly sale increase, names new Deputy Chairman

By

Cajsa Lykke Carlson

Published
Mar 22, 2016

British department store retailer John Lewis' sales rose by 8.7% in the week to March 19, reaching £75.06m.

The company said the increase was due to customers looking forward to Easter and the start of warmer weather. Fashion performed well, with sales up 5.3%, with menswear leading the way with an 8.8% increase. Beauty, wellbeing and leisure sales were up 4.7%, as new products from Jo Malone and MAC sold well. There was also an increase in sales of clothes for warmer weather.

The retailer also said that people are looking forward to Easter, with gift food collections appealing.

John Lewis also announced that it has named Keith Williams as non-executive Deputy Chairman. He will succeed Mark Price, who is leaving the partnership on April 4, when Williams will start. Williams joined John Lewis' Partnership Board as a non-executive director in March 2014, and has agreed to also extend his term as a non-executive director for a further two years. He is currently Executive Chairman of British Airways and is retiring from this role on 31 March.

Sir Charlie Mayfield, Chairman of the John Lewis Partnership, said: 'I'm delighted Keith has agreed to take up the role of Deputy Chairman. In the two years since his appointment to the Board he has made a valuable contribution to the Partnership and I look forward to working with him in his new role'.