John Lewis plans flexible format department store

25 Jul '11

5 min read

Tim Harrison, head of format development for John Lewis says, 'The concept of a flexible department store format allows us to target developments that may not have been seen previously as viable. Crucially our new approach will mean that the full John Lewis product assortment will be available to customers in many more towns and cities across the UK.'

John Lewis Exeter will open in late 2012 on the Sidwell Street site, owned by Land Securities. John Lewis initially announced plans to open an 'at home' shop in Exeter, but has worked with Land Securities to negotiate releasing more selling space to enable the first bespoke John Lewis department store.

Richard Akers, Land Securities' Managing Director for Retail, says, 'We're proud to have worked with John Lewis to launch this new format. It is a significant development for John Lewis, for Exeter and for the whole retail sector.'

John Lewis is on track to open three shops in 2011, including John Lewis Stratford City in September and John Lewis 'at home' shops in Chester and Tamworth.

The John Lewis Partnership - The John Lewis Partnership operates 32 John Lewis shops across the UK (28 department stores and four John Lewis at home), johnlewis.com and 258 Waitrose supermarkets. The business has an annual turnover of nearly £8.2bn. It is the UK's largest example of worker co-ownership where all 76,500 staff are Partners in the business.

John Lewis - John Lewis, 'Britain's favourite retailer 2010' and 'Multiple Department Store of the Year 2010' typically stocks more than 350,000 separate lines in its department stores. The website stocks over 150,000 products focused on the best of fashion, beauty, home and giftware and electrical items including online exclusives. John Lewis is consistently ranked one of the top online shopping destinations in the UK. John Lewis Insurance offers a range of comprehensive insurance products - home, car, wedding and event, travel and pet insurance and life cover - delivering the usual values of expertise, trust and customer service expected from the John Lewis brand.

John Lewis is proud to be the official department store provider to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

John Lewis and London 2012 - As part of this partnership with LOCOG (The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games) John Lewis operates official London 2012 shops within its Oxford Street branch and from September 2011, the new Stratford shop. John Lewis is helping to furnish lounge and reception areas at key Games-time venues as well as offering Partners (staff) the opportunity to support LOCOG in the operation and build-up to the Games. Further to the sponsorship with LOCOG, John Lewis Partnership has developed 'Partners in Sport' an initiative to put something back into the community through sport which includes sponsoring several London 2012 hopefuls as well as funding sports coaches.

John Lewis Partnership

More John Lewis News... More Apparel/Garments News - United Kingdom...