A decade on from the first annual John Lewis ‘How We Shop, Live and Look’ report, which looks back at the products and trends that shaped the year, the department store group’s findings reveal that the past 12 months has seen customers return to its shops, especially on Saturdays for a family day out where footfall is up 11%.
During the height of lockdowns, 81% of the retailer’s sales came via the internet. This figure has fallen to 57%, with many customers dwelling in-store: hospitality and catering sales were up 20% versus last year, with an astonishing 3.09 million cups of coffee and 1.79 million pots of tea sold.
The report also shows that we are a nation that has fallen out of love with DVD players, drinks trolleys, chandeliers and fidget spinners, and gained a burgeoning obsession with air fryers and pizza ovens.
John Lewis commercial director Kathleen Mitchell said: “Over the last ten years, our ‘How We Shop, Live and Look’ report has shown us how the nation’s shopping habits have evolved, with customers forming new shopping habits and traditions. Within the last 12 months we have really seen a return to the shops and a return of style. Customers are eating, drinking, spending time in our shops and enjoying all that our stores have to offer. Customer numbers are up 8% on last year as many families have discovered that it’s quite a good value day out! We are excited for what is to come as customers seek out a more contemporary look and a bit more excitement within the way they shop, live and look with us.”
Image supplied by John Lewis