John Lewis Partnership to close Windsor Department Store

23 Jan '06

3 min read

Top retailer John Lewis Partnership announced to its Partners that Caleys, its department store in Windsor, is to close at the end of July this year. This difficult decision has been taken following a continued decrease in sales at the shop over the last five years, despite continued and concerted efforts to reverse the trend. Caleys is now trading at a financial loss, which is expected to increase from 2006 onwards.

The closure will result in the loss of all 130 positions at Caleys and four posts at the shop's service building at Theale. Partners will be given every assistance to find jobs elsewhere in the Partnership and outside the business.

Caleys, which is John Lewis's smallest department store, has been part of the John Lewis Partnership since 1940. Its close proximity to the company's department store in Reading enabled the two shops to amalgamate some functions three years ago, substantially reducing running costs.

However, continued investment in the assortment of merchandise failed to reverse the trend that has seen sales decrease from a peak of £10m in 2000 to just under £8m for 2005.

Gareth Thomas, Director of Retail Operations, said, “This has been an extremely difficult decision to take, and is no reflection on the highly-valued contribution made by our Partners. The team at Caleys have shown tremendous spirit and commitment in overcoming the unique challenges presented by such a confined and complex trading space, and couldnot have played a greater part in giving the branch every chance of success. ”

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