John Lewis reported that its sales of tablecloths were up 73% as consumers prepared to entertain inside their homes prior to the late May bank holiday. Waitrose also reported evidence that dinner parties were being embraced, with a significant uplift in searches for nostalgic dinner party recipes such as prawn cocktail, devilled eggs and baked alaska’ on Waitrose.com.
Moreover, searches for canapes were up 484% and blinis up 101%, compared to the same week last year, and Waitrose’s sales of champagne and dessert wine were strong.
It was evident that consumers were relishing the return to home entertaining when John Lewis first reopened its doors in April. On the re-opening morning of April 12, the retailer’s number one bestselling item was a crystal glass decanter, followed by crystal cut glass tumblers (both from John Lewis’ new own brand ANYDAY range). After a Rick Stein mug (by BlissHome), the next highest selling product was champagne saucers. ANYDAY dinner plates and cereal bowls also made John Lewis’ top ten re-opening bestsellers.
Top: Some of the tablecloths listed on John Lewis & Partners’ website.
