John Lewis blames sunshine for sales drop

Department store chain John Lewis has blamed recent sunny weather for a rare sales drop.

In the week to February 16, the retailer said sales were down 3.4 per cent to £45.6 million in what it described as one of the toughest trading weeks "in recent memory", with Sunday and Wednesday proving the most challenging days.

The group said it was likely that sunny weather had kept people away from the high street.

John Lewis spokesman, Dan Knowles, said: "There is no doubt that the glorious weather most of the country has been experiencing has played a big part, and many parents over half term have been taking advantage of the sun to enjoy the outdoors rather than go shopping."

The figures represented a rare sales hiccup for John Lewis, which has bucked the gloomy mood on the high street to post rising sales and profits.

For the three weeks to February 16, the retailer said sales were 1.4 per cent higher than a year earlier.

The group, which has 26 stores and an online division, is due to report annual results next month, having seen pre-tax profits jump 50 per cent to £146 million in the six months to July 28.

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