BOSSES at a textile manufacturer’s parent company have dispelled fears over the impact of the credit crunch and said the company was still heading in the right direction.
The message came from leading figures at the John Lewis Partnership, the department store chain that has a manufacturing arm – Herbert Parkinson – based in Monton Road, Darwen.
John Lewis managing director Andy Street reassured staff after the company experienced a sharp dip in sales at the end of October.
He said: “Although our customers are being far more judicious in their spending, they are still choosing to spend with us. That is credit to the work we have done on assortment, shopkeeping and availability, and serves to remind us that there will still be winners this Christmas.”
The company employs 237 people in Darwen where it has manu-factured textiles for the store since 1937.
John Lewis stores were hit hard in the week ending Saturday, October 26, with sales sliding 9.8 per cent overall. Home sales were off 17.3 per cent in the week, while electricals and home technology fell 9.6 per cent and fashion declined 1.3 per cent.
Retail analyst Freddie George, of Seymour Pierce, said the figures had been affected by half-term and discount activity by competitors. He added: “We understand sales have strongly recovered in the current week.”
Herbert Parkinson plays a major role in the Darwen economy and wider community with strong links to various charities across the area.
The message came from leading figures at the John Lewis Partnership, the department store chain that has a manufacturing arm – Herbert Parkinson – based in Monton Road, Darwen.
John Lewis managing director Andy Street reassured staff after the company experienced a sharp dip in sales at the end of October.
He said: “Although our customers are being far more judicious in their spending, they are still choosing to spend with us. That is credit to the work we have done on assortment, shopkeeping and availability, and serves to remind us that there will still be winners this Christmas.”
The company employs 237 people in Darwen where it has manu-factured textiles for the store since 1937.
John Lewis stores were hit hard in the week ending Saturday, October 26, with sales sliding 9.8 per cent overall. Home sales were off 17.3 per cent in the week, while electricals and home technology fell 9.6 per cent and fashion declined 1.3 per cent.
Retail analyst Freddie George, of Seymour Pierce, said the figures had been affected by half-term and discount activity by competitors. He added: “We understand sales have strongly recovered in the current week.”
Herbert Parkinson plays a major role in the Darwen economy and wider community with strong links to various charities across the area.
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