john lewis news and archive

John Lewis confirms plans to reopen shops on April 12

Following the government’s latest announcement on the easing of lockdown, John Lewis has confirmed that it will reopen its shops in England and Wales on April 12. The department store said in a statement that after more than three months of its retail outlets being shut due to the national lockdown that it was looking forward to once again...

6 Apr 2021

Fashion

John Lewis launches Community Clothing line

Menswear label Community Clothing by Patrick Grant has launched exclusively with John Lewis for spring 2021. The launch is a partnership between John Lewis and Grant to champion small independent and British businesses, as well as offer clothing that “underlines great quality, strong purpose and offers timeless, affordable clothing”. Community...

1 Apr 2021

Retail

John Lewis confirms which eight stores to close

Department store John Lewis has confirmed that it is not planning to reopen eight of its 42 stores from lockdown in the UK, as it looks to “rebalance” its store estate to reflect how it feels customers want to shop. In a statement, John Lewis said that some shops planned not to reopen are in locations that it explains “can’t sustain a large...

24 Mar 2021

Retail

John Lewis to lower prices as it prepares for post lockdown re-opening

Department store John Lewis will lower prices in a bid to entice customers to return to its brick and mortar stores. The aim of cutting prices is to both boost footfall and in-store spending. The new strategy was announced by the John Lewis Partnership, parent company of retailers John Lewis and Waitrose, as retailers prepare for the end of...

16 Mar 2021

Fashion

Ex-Warehouse executives launch new sustainable brand Albaray

Three former Warehouse executives are launching a new sustainable womenswear brand from April, called Albaray. First revealed byJohn Lewis in Februaryas one of its new 50 fashion and beauty brands, Albaray will launch with a selection of dresses, separates and loungewear. Albaray is a sustainable start-up founded by chief executive Paula...

15 Mar 2021

Retail

On a deserted Oxford Street, department stores are downsizing

London’s West End, in particular the shopping thoroughfare of Oxford Street, Soho and Mayfair, was, in pre-covid times, a haven for shoppers and fashion. But not anymore. With stores closed and a retail industry facing unsurmountable pressures, the UK’s world-class shopping destination is under threat. Oxford Street is perennially empty, with...

10 Mar 2021

Fashion

John Lewis to fund sustainable cashmere programme

John Lewis is to fund a sustainable cashmere programme in Inner Mongolia run by non-profit international organisation the Sustainable Fibre Alliance (SFA). The three year programme will support the expansion of the SFA’s new Cashmere Standard from Mongolia to the Inner Mongolia region of China. The SFA has developed a global standard for...

26 Feb 2021

People

John Lewis fashion buying director to exit

John Lewis has confirmed its fashion buying director Christine Kasoulis is leaving the company. Kasoulis has been in her current role at the British retailer since 2017, before which she held positions as head of buying for home from 2007, director of new product development from 2009, and buying director of home from 2013. According to Drapers,...

24 Feb 2021

Retail

John Lewis may close 8 of its remaining 42 stores to cut costs

John Lewis is set to close a further 8 stores of its remaining 42 store portfolio. It would be the equivalent of a 20 percent cut of its retail operations as the high street giant aims to save 300 million pounds per year to secure its future. The Sunday Times reported John Lewis is in negotiations with landlords which could see hundreds of jobs...

22 Feb 2021

Retail

John Lewis signs up to Prince of Wales’ ‘Terra Carta’

The John Lewis Partnership has been announced as the first retailer to sign up to the Prince of Wales’ ‘Terra Carta’, which forms part of HRH’s Sustainable Markets Initiative, a charter that puts nature, people and planet at the heart of global business. Launched in January 2021, the ‘Terra Carta’ (earth charter) provides a roadmap to 2030 for...

18 Feb 2021

Fashion

John Lewis donates warm clothing to thousands of families in the UK

John Lewis will be donating 5,000 items of warm clothing for families in need as temperatures in the UK this week continue to drop below freezing. Clothing donated includes product ranges from menswear, womenswear, childrenswear, and babywear. The clothing will be distributed across ten critical locations in the UK, where many vulnerable...

11 Feb 2021

Fashion

John Lewis adding 50 new fashion and beauty brands

Department store John Lewis is adding 50 new fashion and beauty brands, from start-up independents to high street favourites to cater for what it calls a “shift in dress codes” with shoppers opting for more comfortable, casual attire over more formal styles. Over the past 12 months, lifestyles have changed and with it, what customers want in...

9 Feb 2021