John Lewis' sales slip after latest Tube strike

The British department store saw its sales fall after the last Underground strike that took place last week, paralysing London for 24 hours. Overall John Lewis's sales edged down 0.6% compared to the same week last year, while sales at its Oxford Circus flagship plummeted by 10%.

The Brent Cross store also posted a 7.4% fall, but better performing branches such as Newbury Chester, Tamworth, Sheffield and Croydon saw their sales rise by up to 18%.

The company also revealed that online sales were up last week, climbing by 8%.

“Looking ahead we have the first groups of holidaymakers coming back and looking for Back to School inspiration and the next wave of people off on holiday," said David Barford, director of selling, London and South at John Lewis. "We have plenty of opportunity to make up some lost ground from last week and to optimise all areas of our offer.”

The last Tube strikes also affected shopping centres' footfall in London, which registered a fall of 9.8% according to the British Council of Shopping Centres.

Traders prepare ahead for two further Underground walkouts set to take place on August 25 and 27, which come as Tube workers protest over the conditions of the Tube's new night service. 

Written by Barbara Santamaria