Highcross’s John Lewis store safe from the axe

EIGHT OTHER BRANCHES WILL NOT REOPEN FROM APRIL 12

THE Leicester branch of John Lewis store is not one of the eight nationwide that are to close permanently, the company has confirmed.

The retailer, which has 42 branches, said it is “rebalancing” its store estate to reflect how customers want to shop post-lockdown.

Stores in Ashford, Basingstoke, Chester, Tunbridge Wells, Aberdeen, Peterborough, Sheffield and York will not reopen.

Leicester and almost all the other stores will begin trading on Monday, April 12, subject to government guidance.

In a statement issued yesterday, the company said: “At the partnership’s full year results earlier this month, we said we will reshape our business in response to how our customers increasingly want to shop in-store and online.

“This follows substantial research to identify and cater for new customer shopping habits in different parts of the country.

“As part of this, we can, unfortunately, no longer profitably sustain a large John Lewis store in some locations where we do not have enough customers, which is resulting in the proposed closures.

“The eight shops were financially challenged prior to the pandemic.

“Given the significant shift to online shopping in recent years – and our belief this trend will not materially reverse – we do not think the performance of these eight stores can be substantially improved.

“We expect 60 to 70 per cent of John Lewis sales to be made online in the future. Nearly 50 per cent of our customers now use a combination of both store and online.”

It added: “Our department stores remain critical to our future success. They provide a sensory experience that online cannot, supported by the expertise of our partners.

“Having fewer, bigger stores allows us to invest significantly to improve our remaining ones, showcasing our inspiring products with more space dedicated to experiences and services.

“They will be enticing and exciting places to shop, more reflective of the tastes and interests of local customers.”

The company is testing the introduction of John Lewis shopping areas in Waitrose stores.

There are also plans to test smaller, neighbourhood shops offering the best of John Lewis.