John Lewis chairman Sharon White wants to open “mini John Lewis” shops within most of Waitrose’s 331 supermarkets over the next 12 to 18 months, according to an article in The Sunday Times (February 28). This is addition to plans for small John Lewis Local formats in High Streets. The newspaper has also reported that John Lewis is gearing up to announce eight department store closures, as part of a radical overhaul and adjustment to consumers’ migration to online.
February saw the opening of a mini John Lewis within the Wallingford branch of Waitrose, with more than 700 products, predominantly from Cook & Dine and Gifts categories. The store follows trial formats, including representations of John Lews in Goldaming, Horley and Lincoln branches of Waitrose.
* John Lewis is due to publish its full year results on March 11.
Top: View of John Lewis area in Waitrose Lincoln, one of the first trials of mini stores (opening in November 2019) within the supermarket.
