John Lewis opens flexible format in Exeter

John Lewis has opened the first of its new full line flexible

format department stores in Exeter today.

The new store will sell the full John Lewis assortment in a format which sits between a John Lewis 'at home' and a traditional John Lewis department store in terms of size. The branch has created around 300 new jobs for local people.

John Lewis has identified at least ten locations across the UK which could support the new bespoke department stores and has confirmed the opening of shops in York in 2013 and Chelmsford in 2014.

Andy Street, managing director, John Lewis said: "Today marks an important milestone in our growth strategy and we are thrilled to be expanding our offer to customers in the South West. This is the first of our full line flexible format department stores, a concept which means we can now consider opening shops in areas that were not always thought feasible for a traditional John Lewis department store building. We hope customers will be as delighted with the shopping experience that this new shop offers as we are."