John Lewis Reports Online Sales of £500m

by Mike Essex on 7th January 2011

Department store John Lewis has underlined the value of running an effective website after making online sales worth more than £500 million over the course of the festive period.

The retailer made £545 million in the five weeks leading up to January 1st, thanks to an increase in total sales of 8.9 per cent compared to the same period of the previous year.

Andy Street, managing director of John Lewis, expressed his delight with the results and stated they highlighted the importance of utilising the internet for businesses.

"Our success confirms our strength as a multichannel retailer. This capability was particularly important during the adverse weather. Online sales soared during the first snowfall as customers struggled to get to the shops," he stated.

John Lewis is currently using its website to promote its clearance sale, in which some items have been reduced in price by as much as 70 per cent.