Boom in sales of TV sets as World Cup approaches

Department store chain John Lewis sold a TV every 30 seconds last week as viewers geared up for the World Cup.

By The Newsroom

Published 4th Jun 2010, 22:12 BST

Updated 4th Jun 2010, 22:12 BST

The company saw a 36.4 per cent rise in TV sales year-on-year ahead of the football extravaganza, which kicks off in South Africa next week.

The demand helped drive sales up almost 25 per cent across the wider group, with the performance also aided by comparisons with half-term holidays a year ago.

The partnership saw "buoyant sales" of children's World Cup T-shirts, while football fever has also gripped the Waitrose supermarket chain owned by John Lewis.

Waitrose's total sales last week were up 12.4 per cent on last year, with many shoppers showing support for South African products.

Wines from the host nation shot up 62 per cent on the previous year, while South African-themed barbecue products were also in demand.

John Lewis added that sales from all its stores were ahead of last year.