John Lewis suppliers squeezed by online fees

JOHN Lewis is putting pressure on suppliers as the retailer grapples with soaring customer demand for online shopping.

The department store chain has told its fashion suppliers to pay £1.50 per item for all customer orders made online, and an additional £1.50 if that item is returned.

Up to a third of all online orders of clothes are sent back by customers compared to around 8pc in store, as shoppers often order several sizes and return those that don’t fit. It is likely that providing free delivery is also a burden as John Lewis offers shoppers free postage on orders over £50.

This is not the first time the retailer has been thrust into the spotlight for putting pressure on its suppliers. In 2013 it wrote to them requesting better terms if it managed to reach certain sales targets.

A spokesman said: ‘We work hard to build long-term and sustainable partnerships, and as the market evolves, we speak confidentially to individual suppliers about the way we work with them.’