SALES, HOPEFULLY… GOING UP
Department store John Lewis is going all Are You Being Served? to boost sales.
Though they’ll probably hoping things go more smoothly than Captain Peacock and Co found it at Grace Brothers when trying the personal touch in the 70s sitcom.
The chain’s 50th branch – a new £33million shop in West London’s Westfield – boasts personal services, from fashion and beauty stylists to interiors and baby experts. It has a Discovery Room where shoppers can learn new skills, and an Experience Desk for booking bespoke gifts. John Lewis boss Paula Nickolds described it as “clienteling” and claimed it showed department stores can thrive, despite problems at House of Fraser and Debenhams. She said: “Today’s department shop is as relevant as it ever has been.”