Homewares generates strong sales at John Lewis, ScS Upholstery stuggles with interest rates
John Lewis Department Stores has released weekly figures for the week to May 12 showing its sales were up 8.5%.

Particular highlights were seen in homewares ranges: electricals and home technology (+13.2%) including large and small electricals; furniture and textiles (+10.4%) including furniture, linens, lighting, and soft furnishings, furnishing accessories (+12.5%) including cookshop, decorative accessories, and gifts.

Percentage figures above are retail analysts' estimates.

Sofa retailer ScS Upholstery warned it expects the rest of the year to remain 'challenging'.

Chairman Mike Browne said rising interest rates and a drop in consumer confidence led him to caution: "We do not feel confident that we will meet our expectations for the 10-month period ending July 2007."

The company also said recent spells of hot weather kept consumers away from stores.