John Lewis Partnership has reported a widening first-half pre-tax loss of £124m, despite overall sales increasing 2 per cent to £6.3bn.
Performance differed significantly between its two businesses, with Waitrose sales rising 4 per cent to £4.3bn while John Lewis sales declined 2 per cent to £2bn.
The department store business was affected by weaker consumer confidence and continued caution around discretionary spending, particularly in higher-value categories.
The results highlight the contrasting pressures across the retail market, with grocery spending proving more resilient than purchases of big-ticket and discretionary products.
John Lewis Partnership is continuing to invest in its retail operations as it works to improve performance across both brands.
The group has been pursuing a turnaround programme focused on strengthening its core retail businesses following a period of significant investment and restructuring.
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