John Lewis chair doubles down on profit comments: ‘You need to do well to do good’ March 6, 2022 The chair of the John Lewis Partnership has reiterated her thoughts that companies do not have to sacrifice a pursuit of profit in order to contribute positively to society. Writing in The Mail On Sunday, Sharon White reiterated comments made in a speech to the Resolution Foundation think tank last month. In her column, White [...]
Zara and Burberry shut shops in Russia while John Lewis looks to ‘mitigate exposure’ to country March 6, 2022 Fashion powerhouses have halted trading in Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, citing “operational challenges”. Luxury goods maker Burberry has temporarily shuttered its three stores in Russia, The Times reported. According to the newspaper, the designer brand’s spokesperson said Burberry would continue to monitor developments and declined to address the invasion directly. It comes after [...]
Twitter users ‘disgusted’ with John Lewis after dismissal of seasonal workers December 28, 2021 John Lewis came under fire yesterday after choosing to dismiss temporary workers ahead of Christmas sales owing to a lower than expected demand. The retailer was called out by a mother on social media, after her son was hired to in a warehouse to prepare online orders. Temporary staff were told on 23 December they [...]
John Lewis scraps land sell-off after villagers’ displeasure November 7, 2021 John Lewis has been forced to ditch plans to sell off land for homes after Hampshire residents rebelled against the plans. The department store retailer had planned to sell off land for 12 new homes in Longstock, near Andover. However, it ditched the plans, citing “a significant level of opposition to the scheme,” to the [...]
John Lewis in hot water as “misleading” ad is pulled October 27, 2021 John Lewis was forced to apologise after it aired an ad that was considered potentially misleading by the financial watchdog. “This advert has been withdrawn because the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) considers the content to be potentially misleading and could cause customers to be confused about John Lewis’s new home contents insurance offering,” the department [...]
Waistcoats and aviators: Lockdown TV drives fashion sales October 12, 2021 John Lewis has revealed how lockdown TV inspired fashion and lifestyle trends over the past year. Television series replaced the shop window, the retailer said. In March 2021, searches for aviator sunglasses and sales of AND/OR flare jeans rose after 1970s-set The Serpent aired on the BBC. Sales of waistcoats jumped 114 per cent between [...]
Bonus backlash: John Lewis workers angered by awards for senior staff September 23, 2021 Retail group John Lewis Partnership has angered employees after senior managers received awards while a wider partnership bonus was denied for the first time. Almost 4,000 special contribution awards were made last year, it was first reported by The Financial Times, including to 16 managers, out of an 79,000-strong workforce. A wider percentage award was [...]
John Lewis posts £29m pre-tax loss after restructuring costs September 16, 2021 John Lewis has reported a pre-tax loss of £29m for the year’s first half, after restructuring costs. However, the high street giant said its half year results ending July 31 marked a significant improvement on last year’s pre-tax loss of £635m. Profit before exceptional items was £69m, up £124m on the comparable period last year, [...]
John Lewis to recruit 7,000 Christmas jobs September 15, 2021 John Lewis is recruiting more than 7,000 temporary roles across the UK in the run up to Christmas. The retailer is looking to hire 2,000 more workers than last year to meet increased demand. The hiring spree comes as retail bosses have expressed concern about the long-term impact of ongoing supply chain disruption including labour [...]
John Lewis launches cut-price fashion range September 7, 2021 Retailer John Lewis has announced it will launch a budget fashion range under its Anyday brand, as UK shoppers continued to be lured to fast-fashion online retailers. The company is expanding its line of affordable homeware and technology products to include menswear, womenswear and children’s fashion next week. Around 700 new clothing products – some [...]