News in brief: John Lewis Easter sales jump 23%, House prices ‘set for modest growth’, Lucky 13 as March car sales rise 6%
John Lewis sales jumped 23% last week, compared to the same week a year ago, as shoppers took advantage of the Easter break to snap up technology and cooking and dining products.
The department store group’s sales totalled £76.7 million in the week to March 30, which included the Good Friday holiday. Easter fell later in April a year ago. Howard Archer, chief economist at IHS Global Insight, said it was “an impressive performance.”
House prices ‘set for modest growth’
House prices are set for “modest” growth this year after a 0.2% rise in prices in March, according to lender Halifax’s latest index.
The latest increase — albeit smaller than February’s 0.5% rise — means prices are up 1.2% over the first quarter of 2013, although the bank said weak wage growth and a still-troubled economy “are likely to remain significant constraints on housing demand” this year.
Lucky 13 as March car sales rise 6%
Car sales beat expectations in March, with new vehicle registrations almost 6% higher than the same time a year ago.
March is an important month for the auto industry due to the release of new number plates, and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders recorded 394,806 registrations with the new 13-plate, a 5.9% increase year-on-year. First-quarter car sales were 7.4% up on the same period in 2012.
