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John Lewis’ electricals and home technology category sales grew 15.5 per cent throughout 2013, helping to increase the retailer’s market share.
"We were Samsung’s retailer of choice to debut their new OLED televisions, and were exclusive stockists of Nest when the product launched in the UK," the retailer said in a statement.
In 2013 John Lewis also improved its guarantee to give a minimum of two years’ cover on any electrical item.
John Lewis added that it made ‘significant market share gains’ across all three categories – home, fashion and electricals/tech.
Overall John Lewis gross sales grew by 7.5 per cent in 2013, passing the £4 billion mark for the first time. Total like-for-like sales rose 6.4 per cent while operating profit before restructuring costs was up 11 per cent to £240.5 million.
Internet sales increased 19.2 per cent to £1.1 billion throughout the year, with click and collect growing 57 per cent, thanks to customers being able to pick up items from John Lewis’ partner retailer Waitrose.
Mobile sales also grew ‘rapidly’, with visits from phones and tablets accounting for half of all web traffic to johnlewis.com.
The ‘My John Lewis’ membership card was also launched with 500,000 members joining in four months.Plus, its ‘The Bear and the Hare’ Christmas advertising campaign generated over 12 million views on YouTube.
The retailer was also proud of its use of in-store technology.
"We continue to exploit new technology including equipping our partners with transactional tablets, and we are the first major department store to use Google to map the inside of our Oxford Street shop," it added in a statement.
"This has been another good year for the partnership," said Charlie Mayfield, Chairman of John Lewis Partnership. "Both Waitrose and John Lewis increased market share for the fifth consecutive year, profit before exceptionals has grown by almost 10 per cent and, for the first time, we have achieved sales of over £10 billion.
"As a result of our performance, I am delighted that 91,000 partners will receive a bonus of 15 per cent, equivalent to nearly eight weeks’ pay."
Investment in John Lewis was £174.8m, up £30.5m or 21.1 per cent year-on-year. Its new £97 million distribution centre will begin operations in 2015.
Late last year John Lewis told PCR how it beat the PC decline in an exclusive interview.
