Today The John Lewis Partnership reported a 9.2% rise in revenue to £8.47bn in the year to January 2013, with profit increasing 15%. Online sales increased 49% during the year, accounting for £959m in sales, whilst its supermarket division Waitrose saw sales increase by 6.7%.
The group said that performance was boosted by its focus on multichannel shopping, allowing consumers to shop by mobile, online, and via its supermarkets, as well as the roll out of its Click and Collect initiative. 43% of orders are now collected through Waitrose stores, boosting footfall at the supermarket. In addition, the Waitrose Brand Match promise helped increase customer transactions by 6.1%.
Commenting on the results, Charlie Mayfield, Chairman of the John Lewis Partnership, said: “This has been a good year for the partnership with growth in sales and profit above our expectations. Both Waitrose and John Lewis gained market share for what is now the fourth consecutive year. Although the market remains challenging, the Partnership has adapted quickly and successfully. We have stepped up innovation in new products, with a continuing focus on value and sustained and rapid growth online. This resulted in over 1.5 million more customers choosing to shop with Waitrose or John Lewis than last year.”
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