The John Lewis Partnership recently announced the next phase of its five-year plan to return to sustainable profits by 2025. Last month, it published a plan to continue its business to adapt rapidly to changing shopping habits and getting closer to customers. It is also expanding into new areas outside retail where it believes its values can be a force for good.

The first two years of the plan focus on strengthening its Waitrose and John Lewis retail businesses, backed by £1 billion worth investments in customer service and experience in store and online. This will require the UK-based Partnership to become a leaner, simpler and faster business. It said in a press release.

The plan set out a target to make £300 million in annual savings by 2022 through operational efficiencies throughout the business.

A key part of its efficiency plan is to create an agile and flexible head office that is even closer to customers and frontline partners.

The Partnership proposes to reduce the size of its head office operations by up to 1,500 roles between now and April 2021. It will do this by simplifying how it works and delayering its structures. The changes will save another £50 million on top of £50 million of recent efficiencies, a significant contribution to its £300 million target.

The Partnership also announced that Patrick Lewis, executive director, finance, has decided to leave the group at the end of this year following a long and distinguished 26-year career. Lewis will be succeeded by Bérangère Michel, currently executive director, customer service, and former finance director for John Lewis.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)

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