John Lewis mulls cutting Oxford Street flagship store space by 40 per cent September 16, 2020 John Lewis is reportedly preparing to slash the size of its flagship Oxford Street department store due to a steep drop in West End footfall during the coronavirus pandemic. The retailer has applied to Westminster council to allow it to reduce its trading space by up to 40 per cent, while the third, fourth and [...]
John Lewis may convert department stores into affordable housing July 30, 2020 John Lewis is considering converting some of its store estate into housing in an attempt to strengthen its services business as the high street battles the impact of the coronavirus crisis. The retailer, which owns the department store chain and Waitrose, said it is exploring the concept of new mixed-use affordable housing with third parties. [...]
John Lewis to join Primark in rejecting government jobs retention bonus July 13, 2020 Department store chain John Lewis is expected to join Primark in rejecting the government’s offer of a job retention bonus. The chancellor last week announced that firms could claim a £1,000 bonus for each worker they bring back from furlough and continue to employ until at least January. John Lewis, which last week announced the [...]
John Lewis closes eight stores putting 1,300 jobs at risk July 9, 2020 John Lewis has announced that it will not reopen eight stores after the UK coronavirus lockdown, putting around 1,300 jobs at risk. The company said this morning that the stores, which includes the department store at Birmingham’s Bullring shopping centre, had been struggling before the pandemic. John Lewis will also close its department store in [...]
Which retailers are reopening as the coronavirus lockdown lifts? June 12, 2020 After two months of being closed during the coronavirus lockdown, Britain’s high streets are coming back to life. Across the board, retailers across the country are working out how to get their businesses going again – and what measures they need to take to keep people safe. So what shops can customers expect to open [...]
John Lewis reveals first 13 stores to reopen next month May 27, 2020 John Lewis has revealed further details of its plans to phase the reopening of its department stores, saying 13 shops will be open by 18 June. The high street retailer announced today that its department stores in Poole and Kingston will reopen on 15 June, which is the first day non-essential retailers are allowed to [...]
John Lewis to phase reopening of department stores from 15 June May 26, 2020 Department store chain John Lewis said it will open its stores on a “phased basis” after the government said non-essential retailers could reopen from 15 June. The retailer did not say how many of its 50 stores would open in mid-June, but said that the reopening would be phased to test in-store changes required to [...]
John Lewis could permanently close some stores when coronavirus lockdown ends April 27, 2020 John Lewis is reportedly considering permanently closing some department stores after the UK’s coronavirus lockdown restrictions are lifted. All John Lewis department stores closed last month after the government ordered all non-essential retailers to shut during the coronavirus lockdown. However, some of the less viable John Lewis stores could remain shut after the lockdown restrictions [...]
Coronavirus: John Lewis launches virtual services April 14, 2020 John Lewis has launched a platform to provide its in-store services, such as decorating and style advice, online while its stores are closed during the UK coronavirus lockdown. The department store said it will offer virtual nursery, home design and style advice through video calls with customers. John Lewis is currently unable to provide the [...]
John Lewis tumbles down ranking of best high street employer March 13, 2020 Struggling department store John Lewis has tumbled down the rankings of high street employers after a tough year in which the retailer has suffered a drop in profit and slashed worker’s bonuses. John Lewis & Partners held the top spot in 2018, but fell to eight last year and has tumbled a further three places [...]