Shoppers at John Lewis are making the Internet of Things (IoT) a reality in their homes as they look to connected devices such as smart washing machines, wearable gadgets and thermostats.
The second annual John Lewis Retail Report found that an increasing number of consumers are buying more smart products that connect them to appliances and systems in their homes.
The How We Shop, Live and Look report said that sales for the retailer’s range of remote controlled lighting systems rose by 316% from the same period last year, while Samsung smart washing machines, launched in April this year, have also become "increasingly popular".
The retailer also saw a surge in fitness-related devices with sales of wearable tech items up 395% on last year, while sales for the Nest Learning Temostat saw a 30% increase in sales between June and July.
John Lewis said in the future it expects to see a home where all appliances are connected that can be controlled by one central hub.
Andy Street, Managing Director of John Lewis, comments: "It seems fitting that in our 150th year as a retailer we are reflecting on the nation’s shopping habits. Since our first shop opened in 1864, John Lewis has a barometer for changing trends and tastes.
"This year’s report is even more insightful than last year’s, with richer data, including new sections, such as how the nation shops for its children. We hope that in years to come people will turn to our report for a nostalgic glimpse of the trends that shaped the nation’s shopping habits."
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The research also found people are increasingly shopping in the early hours, with online sales between the hours of midnight and 6am up by around 31%.
The report also highlighted the marked rise in the use of smartphones and tablets, with 50% of web traffic to the retailer’s website coming from those devices.
The report comes after John Lewis invested £100,000 in beacon tech firm Localz last month.
