Department stores sales of John Lewis Partnership fell 9.8% as the retailer passed through another tough week due to judicious spending of the retail shoppers.

Sales may have been affected by the earlier commencement of half-term holidays, but John Lewis believed that customers were budgeting their spending very judiciously amid economic downturn.

John Lewis home sales fell by 17.3% while home technology and electricals were down by 9.6%. Decline in fashion sales was 1.3%. Sales in Milton Keynes stores were down by 25.7%, Southampton registered 21.7 decline, Watford sales fell by 21.6% while Cribbs Causeway in Bristol was off 20.3%.

According to retail analyst Freddie George at Seymour Pierce, sales figures were disappointing probably due to discount offers by competitors and early half-term holidays.

Sales update caused Next shares to fall 5% while Marks & Spencer shares came down by 3%.

Andy Street, managing director of John Lewis, claimed that comparison of results with those of competitors proved company was outperforming in very challenging market. He credited success to the work done on shop-keeping, assortment and goods availability. He commented that there would still be winners on this Christmas and John Lewis was sure of being one among them.

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