Home of the UK’s most popular and best-loved retail stalwarts, the John Lewis currently operates 28 full line department stores across the UK and one ‘at home’ shop in Poole.
The brand has emerged powerfully from the recession and as a result now has many opportunities to stretch its leadership of the department store sector. Its performance has been driven by a commitment to quality, service and value. This has been combined with rapid innovation to deliver a market-beating performance which saw John Lewis win market share in all areas of its business.
The company’s Cardiff shop opened in September 2009 and is the largest department store in Wales and the largest John Lewis branch outside of London. John Lewis at home opened in Poole in October 2009 and is a trial of a new format, stocking the home assortment (minus floor coverings and fitted kitchens) plus an Electricals and Home Technology assortment. The shop also features a cafe, home design service, a collection point for online orders and the opportunity to purchase from an existing Gift List.
Further John Lewis at home shops are planned to open this year: in Croydon in late summer and Swindon and Tunbridge Wells in the Autumn. A full line department store will open at the Olympic site in Stratford in 2011.
What then are the company’s plans for the future; will we perhaps see growth internationally? RLI caught up with Nat Wakely, Director of Selling Operations to ask the question.
“We are always looking at new opportunities for expansion and growth,” he says. “We have no news on international development plans, other than to confirm that we are looking at international delivery from www.johnlewis.com. We are currently focusing on expanding our UK presence so that we can respond to customer feedback that says too many people are further than a 40-minute drive from a John Lewis.”
Are there any areas in the UK then that the brand has not yet successful penetrated?
“We remain committed to seeking representation at Sprucefield in Northern Ireland with Westfield, and to Dublin Central with Chartered Land,” says Wakely. “We continue to look at other strategic locations for new department stores, in particular Leeds and the Home Counties.”
Of course, John Lewis has been appointed the Official Department Store Provider to London 2012; what impact will this have upon the company and what is it that John Lewis brings to the table at the 2012 Games?
“We were the only retailer to back the original bid for London to get the Games and were very keen to continue our support. As part of our partnership with LOCOG, we will offer staff (known as Partners) the opportunity to work with LOCOG in the build-up to the Games, help to furnish lounge and reception areas at Games-time venues, and provide warehouse space,” he says.
For the full article, please see the July/August 2010 issue.
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