Successful first week for Horsham’s new Waitrose and John Lewis store

New Waitrose and John Lewis Stores in Horsham. SR1514080. Pic Steve Robards SUS-150618-102024001

Customers from far and wide have visited the new building, which opened on Thursday June 18, with both stores proving very popular.

On the John Lewis side more than 100 tablets and 60 televisions have been sold in the first week of trading along with 32 beds and 62 garden furniture sets.

Household furniture has also proven to be popular as well as linens and home accessories including towels, bedding and candles.

With the sun also arriving in the town picnic accessories and barbecue products have also been in high demand along with wedding items such as silverware and glass brands.

More than 200 consultations have also taken place at the companies first ever Home Hub with 20 customers booking home visits from the home design service.

Nigel Davis, branch manager of John Lewis ‘At Home’ Horsham said: “We couldn’t have asked for a better reaction from local shoppers during our first week, seeing customers’ faces on opening day as they saw the shop for the first time made all the hard work the team put into the build worth it.

“The reception from Horsham locals and those from further afield has continued to be just brilliant– the atmosphere in the shop has been simply incredible!

“On behalf of the Partners at John Lewis ‘At Home’ Horsham, I would like to thank all of the customers who have visited us so far, and we can’t wait to meet more new faces over the coming weeks.

“Our Partners are trained and ready to give our customers an incomparable in-store experience and we are so pleased to bring the John Lewis ‘At Home’ offer to the residents of Horsham and the surrounding area.”

Waitrose’s first week in its new home has proved just as successful.

Trading was up as the supermarket sold more items in their first four days than in a full week of trade at the previous store.

2,500 purchases were made at the new Juice Bar with 200 frozen yoghurts made in the first two days and the retailer also sold as much Nyetimber Champagne in two days as they would expect to sell in an entire month.

Jo Thomas, branch manager of Waitrose Horsham, said: “We are really proud of the new store and have been overwhelmed by our customers’ response as we begin a new chapter for Waitrose in Horsham.

“We are now able to offer customers a bigger choice than ever before and shoppers have really taken to the new features.

“We sold a thousand more juices in the first three days than we would expect to take at our largest juice bar in a week, we have had to put additional seating in the wine bar so people can enjoy a glass with their tapas and sales were double what we expected in the café.”

John Lewis ‘At Home’ is open Monday to Saturday from 9am – 8pm and from 10am - 4pm on Sunday (10-10.30am as browsing time).

Waitrose is open on Monday to Saturday from 7.30am - 9pm and on Sunday from 10.30am until 4.30pm.

The café is open Monday to Saturday 7.30am until 8pm and Sunday 10am – 4pm.