John Lewis To Open 'Shop-In-Shop' Implants In Waitrose

The Times has reported that John Lewis is in the process of launching 'shop-in-shop' stores within hundreds of branches of Waitrose. 

Last month, John Lewis opened a small store implant in the back of a branch of Waitrose in Wallingford, Oxfordshire - its fifth shop-in-shop so far.  The Times reports that Dame Sharon White, chairwoman of the John Lewis Partnership, is planning for nearly all Waitrose stores to have a mini John Lewis within the next 18 months.

In July 2020, the retailer announced its intention to close eight stores - two travel hub shops at Heathrow and St Pancras; four At Home shops in Croydon, Newbury, Swindon and Tamworth, and two full size department stores in Birmingham and Watford

Late last month, The Times reported that John Lewis is likely to announce further store closures when it reveals its full-year results later this month.

Furthermore, John Lewis is reportedly planning smaller 'local' stores as part of its plans to rejuvenate its store estate amid changing consumer shopping habits. By 2025, two-thirds of the retailer's £4.8 billion sales are expected to be online.

If the planned and predicted closures go ahead, John Lewis will have reduced its store estate by around a third, leaving 34 stores. 

Source : Insight DIY Team

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