John Lewis to advertise with bigger models

John Lewis is countering the size zero advertising norm and has chosen "normal-sized" women to advertise its clothes in a backlash against too-thin models. Whilst the debate continues on all levels of the fashion spectrum, the Group has already begun using a UK size 12 model to market its summer swimwear collection.

The retailer told WGSN it will select a variety of women of different shapes and weights and will even use larger mannequins in its shop windows in a bid to create a "realistic" image of what women look like. While the average British woman is a size 16, most models are a size eight, ten or even six.

John Lewis spokesman, Mark Forsyth, told the Daily Mail the company would not necessarily stop using size eight models, but would ensure more variety: "It's about health and promoting diversity. We are hoping that this will stimulate a debate."

www.johnlewis.com
24 April 2007

John Lewis plan to double turnover

John Lewis Partnership is embarking on a highly aggressive expansion strategy which will see the employee-owned business create 35,000 new jobs and double its turnover to £12bn. The plan is a major threat to rival department stores Debenhams and House of Fraser, which have enjoyed mixed fortunes recently. It will also pose serious questions to newly resurgent Marks and Spencer and Sainsbury's, which both chase the same upmarket food consumer.

A 10-year business plan, signed off by the partnership board in recent days, will see the retail concern boost its total workforce to 100,000 by 2017. The plan envisages John Lewis significantly increasing its 26 department stores and 184 Waitrose supermarkets.

www.johnlewis.co.uk
19 February 2007

John Lewis king of the high street

High-street stores are having to battle harder than ever for shopper's business - particularly with consumers tightening the purse strings under threat of rising household costs and growing debts. And with online competition growing at record levels, it seems the best way for shops to win the fight is to keep customers happy. In their annual customer services survey Which? looked at 50 of the best-known retailers rating them out of 100. Some of Britain's biggest high-street names, such as Currys, Woolworths and MFI, are rated poorly, while stores such as Aldi and Lidl are on the rise - thanks in large part to their discount pricing policy. However, two particular shops stand head and shoulders above the rest.

John Lewis and Waitrose, sister companies in the John Lewis Partnership, take the gold and silver in the Which? survey. Both were ten points or more ahead of their nearest rivals. John Lewis isn't perfect, but very close to it,' was how one reader saw this year's winner. Third place goes to Marks & Spencer. The chain store performed well for its customer service and products, with over half of its customers rating its products very good or excellent. John Lewis also came in the top three for shopping experience (which includes tidiness, ease of finding products and general environment), customer service and product (including range and quality). One customer described the store as 'like an old blanket; comfy and reliable'.

The worst shopping experience was attributed to TK Maxx, who came last place. Unsurprisingly, the discount stores all do remarkably well in terms of price. While customer service and shopping experience all rate below many other top performing retailers in our survey, the very appearance of these discounters in the upper regions means that many are willing to accept the no-frills approach - if the price is right. At the bottom of the satisfaction table is sporting goods store JJB Sports. Indeed, the sportswear giant gains low scores in all key areas, including one of the lowest customer service ratings - just 9 per cent judged it to be excellent or very good.

www.which.co.uk
1st February 2007

John Lewis reports profit

It will be a good Christmas for John Lewis, which posted record weekly sales. Other retailers are predicting a less profitable holiday season, whilst their high street counterpart saw sales rise by 8.4% in comparison with last year at £91.1m in the week to 9 December. "The cold weather and onset of the party season are having a strong impact on fashion sales," said John Lewis. The news comes as seven other retailers have issued profit warnings in the run up to Christmas, says Ernst & Young.

Recently Woolworths said it needed a good Christmas to meet "the lower end" of full-year targets. Meanwhile figures from John Lewis show the co-operative's menswear sales grew by 8% year-on-year in the past week and "women's fashions from party dresses to shoes [are] selling strongly". A recent report by Ernst & Young said "many High Street retailers will need a dramatic turnaround this Christmas to save their year after a weak summer and autumn".

Retailers face many pressures, "including a drop in the proportion of disposable income spent on the high street, falling from 38% in 1995 to 34% today," said Keith McGregor, corporate restructuring partner at Ernst & Young. In addition High Street stores face greater rivalry from online outlets, with internet spending tipped to grow by 40% this Christmas period. Large supermarkets, which provide "a wider range of non-grocery items at cheaper prices" also pose a threat.

This view echoes an earlier warning from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) that seasonal shopping will not pick up until the last 10 to 14 days before Christmas. Some High Street chains started offering price discounts as early as mid-November, in a bid to challenge slow sales. Major retailers, including Selfridges, Liberty and Gap are opting for 'secret' sales, with 20 per cent discount vouchers being distributed by email.

www.johnlewis.co.uk
10 December 2006

Quality products boost John Lewis results

The high street can breathe a sigh of relief at John Lewis's excellent first half results. A major indicator of high street conditions, the retail group reported an operating profit surge of 25 percent to £112 million on sales up 11 percent to £3 billion. Profit before tax leapt 25 percent to £97 million. The group attributed the outstanding results in a challenging retail climate to "well differentiated, innovative and contemporary products and services and through our Partners' commitment to delivering great service, quality and value." The group's 64.000 employees all share in the profits, a scheme that is clearly a great motivator and highly successful. The partnership also revealed plans to invest £50 million in the Stratford City Olympic development in East London , which will welcome the opening of a John Lewis department store and Waitrose supermarket in 2010. The initiative will create 800 new jobs.

Both John Lewis and Waitrose witnessed a surge in sales. John Lewis posted an 11 percent gain in retail sales to £1.2 billion, with profit up a whopping 55 percent to £79 million. Like-for-like sales were also up 9.2 percent thanks to "more contemporary ranges across all key categories". Fashion sales rose 8 percent, with men's wear performing particularly well. Meanwhile, the company's online sales at John Lewis Direct grew 70 percent. Waitrose sales rose 11 percent to £1.8 billion. "These results show the power of the full engagement of Partners in a different kind of business, demonstrating a clear link between commercial performance and satisfaction felt by Partners in serving customers in a business they own," said Chairman Sir Stuart Hampson. He added that higher operating costs had been offset by efficient cost control in branches and a productivity improvement of 12 percent.

The group's outlook for the second half is optimistic. During the first six weeks of the period sales were up 12 percent on last year. Hampton , however, warned that the "economic climate does not favour retailing at present" and said that the second half would be "challenging". Sales are expected to slow towards Christmas as the group comes up against harder comparables, a spokesman for the firm said. Hampton ended on a positive note, stating he remained "confident that we will continue to improve on last year's performance."

www.johnlewis.co.uk
15 September 2006

John Lewis see profit increase

John Lewis is expected to buck much of the gloom on the high street and unveil bumper profits later this week. The department store group declined to discuss the figures for the first half of this year ahead of its announcement. But analysts believe the percentage sales growth will be in the double digits, while pre-tax profits are likely to come in between £90m and £95m.

That will be a substantial increase on profits of £78m in the same period last year, which represented a 3 per cent decline on 2004. At the time, the group's chairman, Sir Stuart Hampson, described conditions on the high street as "the worst for 15 years". Full-year sales in 2005 were £5.8bn, a rise of 8 per cent, and profits up 10 per cent at £252m. As a result, the group's 65,000 staff, or "partners", received 15 per cent of their salaries as bonuses.

11 September 2006

John Lewis appoints new finance director

John Lewis Partnership has appointed Marisa Cassoni as its new finance director. Cassoni joins the retail group from Royal Mail, filling the most senior position to be filled by an external candidate at John Lewis. Chairman Sir Stuart Hampton said that Cassoni's experience "will be of significant value to the partnership as John Lewis and Waitrose continue to face the rigour of such a competitive sector."

Cassoni, 54, quit Royal Mail last year after five years with the company and a three-year successful turnaround programme. She is a qualified chartered accountant who gained experience as finance director at Britannic Assurance and Prudential's UK division. She is currently a non-executive director of utility group Severn Trent.

www.johnlewis.com
2 June 2006

John Lewis enjoys poor weather

John Lewis has witnessed a significant rise in sales thanks to miserable weather. Contrary to other retailers, who have suffered as a result of a wet 2006 to date, the retail group saw sales soar 16.6 percent last week. In the 16-week period ended 20 May, sales were up 11.3 percent.
Supply chain director Patrick Lewis told The Scotsman that customers sought solace from the rain by shopping for electrical appliances, fashion and furniture in record number. Meanwhile, the pending World Cup caused increased interest in televisions and sports wear, he said.
Despite the grim weather, customers showed faith in a recovery with sales in the outdoor living and picnic-ware sections “at full stretch”, according to Lewis.
“Retailers are often accused of blaming the weather for poor trading results,” he said. “The first quarter has already seen us securing strong sales growth, but last week that was given an extra boost through higher footfall as customers preferred to spend their time indoors with us. A buoyant week finished with an exceptionally busy Saturday, and we ended up 16 percent ahead of last year.”

www.johnlewis.com
30 May 2006

High street witnesses small revival

Signs of recovery on the high street are appearing with the release of the results from John Lewis. The department store group reported an increase in sales of 18.9 percent in the week ended 1 April. Total group sales rose 20.5 percent. "Last week produced a really encouraging result and, even allowing for the distorted comparisons with Easter and Mother's Day last year, we still produced a comfortable turnover. Sales in shops were also strong with a definite southern bias."

Meanwhile, Peter Jones in London posted a surge in sales of 30 percent and noted that Oxford Street "also traded at a cracking pace". The company added, "School holidays are starting and by the end of April, the comparisons will have started to settle down. However, our underlying performance looks encouraging."

www.johnlewis.com
7 April 2006

John Lewis outperforms market

The John Lewis Partnership announced that full-year profits had risen 10 percent to £252 million due to the continued strength of like-for-like sales. The company has surpassed many top high street retailers who have suffered a difficult year. It also said that trading in the first five weeks of this year had been strong. Furthermore, the group announced the acquisition of five stores, two of which are in Edinburgh. Group sales rose 8 percent to £5.8 billion, thanks mainly to a 13 percent rise in sales at Waitrose. Turnover at John Lewis department stores rose a mere 2 percent.

Meanwhile John Lewis profits dropped 6 percent to $192 million, partly as a result of one-off costs. Waitrose profits rose 19 percent to £231 million. In a company statement, group chairman Stuart Hampson said that 2006 would be a difficult year despite a good start to the year. "Looking ahead, there is every indication that this year will continue to be a tough one and that retailing in 2006 will not be for the faint-hearted," he said. The members of the John Lewis Partnership, which include most John Lewis non-food and Waitrose chain employees, will share in the £120 million bonus.

www.johnlewis.co.uk
9 March 2006

John Lewis voted best department store

John Lewis has been voted best department store for customer satisfaction, according to a report by retail researcher Verdict. It moved up from last year's second place, while Waitrose climbed up from twentieth place to occupy its old spot. TK Maxx moved up from fourth place to third while Matalan came in fourth, rising six places in the process. Internet retailer Amazon moved from fourteenth to sixth place.

Sixty-seven retailers were in running and respondents were asked to rate them on range, price, convenience, quality, service, ambience, facilities and layout. "I think people have got a little bit fatigued by the customer experience at Ikea," senior analyst at Verdict Nick Gladding told the AP. Ikea was voted fifth place. "The fact is that there is a lot of queuing and the stores are heavily congested, particularly at weekends when people want to shop."

John Lewis sees sales rise

John Lewis has reported a rise of 7.1 percent in same-store sales over the Christmas period. Total sales for the seven weeks ended 7 January increased 9.2 percent. Fashion sales rose 6.4 percent, with women's wear and accessories up 5.4 percent and men's wear, leisure and beauty up 8.4 percent.

"John Lewis has achieved record levels of sales and strong growth throughout the Christmas period," said managing director Charlie Mayfield. "After a difficult first half when sales and profits were below last year, colder weather in November kick-started sales and from then on our performance built significantly each week."

Mayfield went on to say that growth in sales was "due to a more targeted product assortment, more inspirational presentation of 'Christmas', a stronger emphasis on our value message of quality for price, a relentless focus on service, improved availability and more focused marketing". He added that shops experienced the most sales growth.

www.johnlewis.com
11 January 2006

Johns Lewis CFO dies

Ian Alexander, finance director and deputy chairman of John Lewis Partnership, which owns the John Lewis department stores and Waitrose supermarket group, died suddenly on Sunday after a week of feeling unwell.

Sir Stuart Hampson, chairman of the partnership, was "terribly shocked" by Alexander's death. "The Partnership has been deprived of a highly talented and committed colleague. We are all terribly shocked and saddened by Ian's sudden and unexpected death and our thoughts go out to his family and friends," he said in a statement.
With Sir Stuart Hampson possibly stepping down within a few years, speculation of his successor is rising. The Financial Times reports that the most obvious candidates are Charlie Mayfield, head of John Lewis department stores, and Steve Esom, head of Waitrose.

www.johnlewis.co.uk
30 November 2005

John Lewis expects profitable Christmas

The amount of money that shoppers spend on buying Christmas presents is expected to fall for the first time in a decade, research published today predicts. Retailers' hopes that a shopping revival would salvage one of the worst years in recent memory were dashed by the report which forecasts £400m less will be spent on gifts than last year. The consultancy firm Deloitte said the 1,000 adults questioned for its annual survey intended to spend 3 per cent less on gifts than last year. The average amount someone will splash on presents for family and friends is £310, which drops to £266 for residents of East Anglia .

The firm's annual Christmas retail survey, published today, predicts that total spending on gifts will drop to £14.7bn from £15.1bn last year. Instead, more money will be spent on socialising, continuing the trend that has sucked cash away from the high street during the year. Despite the bearish tone struck by the report, John Lewis said it had high hopes for Christmas. Charlie Mayfield, its managing director, said he was "feeling positive" after a 5.8 per cent jump in sales last week. "We have the perfect conditions for selling clothing," Mr Mayfield said, referring to the first cold snap of the winter. "I am really encouraged by the way things are coming together."

Already the department store chain's Peter Jones outlet has sold out of one of this year's hottest Christmas accessories: black Christmas trees. Paul Hunt, who runs the King's Road store, said two shoppers fought over the remaining black tree last week. Black Christmas trees have been the surprise hit of the festive season as consumers seek a minimalist alternative to the usual garish holiday decorations. Four in five shoppers said they would use cash or debit cards to pay for gifts rather than amass more credit card debt, sending a clear signal that consumers are nervous about their finances. Richard Lloyd-Owen, the head of consumer business at Deloitte, said the fall in money being spent could reflect cheaper prices on the high street. With so many retailers offering three-for-two offers on their gift lines, clever shoppers could get more for their money, he said.

www.johnlewis.com
25 November 2005

John Lewis employees indignant at manager pay-off

John Lewis Partnership, the retailer that prides itself on being the largest British example of 'worker co-ownership', has caused shopfloor outrage by giving a £1m payoff to a former director. Luke Mayhew, who resigned as managing director of John Lewis's department store division last December, received a payoff for loss of office and pension rights worth £1.017m.

www.johnlewis.com
15 May 2005

John Lewis To Open In Leeds

John Lewis has announced plans for a new department store in Leeds, scheduled to open in 2010. The new store will anchor the planned Eastgate and Harewood Quarter development in Leeds city centre. It will represent a £40m investment by the department store group and will generate up to 900 jobs.

The development is a retail-led mixed use scheme by joint developers Hammerson and Town Centre Securities, who have formed a joint venture, the Leeds Partnership. A planning application will be submitted before the end of the year.Ann Humphries, retail development director of John Lewis, said: "We are delighted to have finally found the right location for John Lewis to serve Leeds and the extensive Yorkshire catchment area
.
"We know that many of these customers already visit our department stores, and we are excited at the prospect of providing them with a John Lewis closer to home." John Lewis further stated that the opening of a department store in Leeds "will fill a major regional gap in its UK coverage". The group plans to open 10 new shops in new locations from 2007.

www.johnlewis.com
25 April 2005

John Lewis in Leeds

John Lewis has announced that it is to open a new 20,000 square foot department store in Leeds. The new store is expected to open in the fall of 2010 and will be the principal anchor for the proposed Eastgate and Harewood Quarter development in Leeds City Centre. Worth GBP 40 million, it is expected to generate up to 900 jobs.

The Eastgate and Harewood Quarter development will not only include the new John Lewis department store. The approximatley 1,000,000 retail-led mixed use scheme will include other retail and leisure facilities, 500 residential units, 2,5000 parking spaces and a new public space. The development is being led by a joint venture known as 'The Leeds Partnership', consisting of the Hammerson developers and the Town Centre securities. The planning application will be submitted before the end of the year.

Retail Development Director for John Lewis, Ann Humphries, said: " We are delighted to have finally found the right location for John Lewis to serve Leeds and the extensive Yorkshire catchment area. We know that many of these customers already visit our department stores, and we are excited at the prospect of providing them with a John Lewis closer to home."

This announcement is part of John Lewis's plans to open ten new stores in new locations from 2007. By opening the store in Leeds, John Lewis will fill an important regional gap in its UK coverage.

www.johnlewis.com
26 April 2005

John Lewis To Support Olympic Bid

The John Lewis Partnership is backing the London 2012 Olympic bid, becoming a Champion Supporter of the London 2012 committee. The owner of John Lewis department stores and Waitrose supermarkets will be providing financial support for the bid as well as promoting the 'Back the Bid' campaign to its 6m customers.

Sir Stuart Hampson, chairman of the John Lewis Partnership said: "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to bring the world's greatest sporting event to the UK. There's clearly growing public support for the bid right across the country, and that includes many John Lewis and Waitrose customers and partners.

"As a business we're able to give voice to this growing enthusiasm, and we're pleased to add our weight to making the London 2012 bid a success. This is an important initiative for London but it's also important for the nation as a whole. We believe that the underlying enthusiasm for the bid will grow as we draw nearer to July when the International Olympic Committee make their final decision."

London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe said: "We are delighted that a company with the reputation of the John Lewis Partnership is giving its backing to the bid. The IOC attaches much importance to the level of support from the public and from the business sector.

"It is particularly welcome at an important time when the IOC are about to visit London to examine our plans in detail. The support of John Lewis adds to our campaign to increase visible support throughout London and the UK."

www.johnlewis.com
29 January 2005

John Lewis Chain Reaction

This year is a great year for the John Lewis partnership, indeed. The department store chain is celebrating its 75th anniversary and has improved its mens- and womenswear offer to be one of the high streets must-sees for fashion, accessories and household goods.

The year has seen the refurbishment of its Peter Jones store in Sloane Square, London, a revamp of womenswear shopping areas in all stores, and the company's first ever advertising campaigning. With labels such as Gant, Timberland, John Smedley and Fahri stocked, there's all the more reason to rush to your local store.

For your nearest store, call 08456 049 049
www.johnlewis.com
19 January 2005

Sales Up For John Lewis

In the first few shopping days after Christmas, department store retailer John Lewis has reported an 11 per cent year-on-year increase of its post-Christmas sale as customers went shopping in strong numbers. The figures for the department store group, which issues weekly sales figures to its partners, are the first concrete indicator of UK consumer response to the sales.

Homeware was strongly in demand. Gareth Thomas, director of retail operations, said: "We are seeing particularly strong sales of reduced saucepan sets, duvets, towels and linen, with our 20 per cent-off white china ranges flying off the shelves". MP3 players and cameras also continued to be in demands as people spent Christmas money. Thomas said: "We are confident that the momentum will continue up to and through the weekend and predict a strong Saturday."

The strong start to the sale, building on a upturn in sales the three day run-up to Christmas Eve, will help the 26-store John Lewis department store arm make up for a generally sluggish December. Overall, like-for-like sales for the 28 days to December 23 were 1.2 per cent down. The Partnership also owns the Waitrose supermarket chain.

www.johnlewis.com
31 December 2004

Departure John Lewis Managing Director

The John Lewis Partnership has confirmed that managing director Luke Mayhew is to leave the business. Mayhew is to leave the Partnership, which operates the John Lewis department store and Waitrose supermarket groups, on December 24. His replacement as managing director is Charlie Mayfield, currently development director, who will take his new role from January 16.

www.johnlewis.com
11 October 2004

John Lewis A Top UK Company

Sales of GBP4.5 billion last year have kept John Lewis Partnership at the top of a table of the UK's 100 biggest private companies.The league table, compiled by The Sunday Times, includes four clothing retailers in the top 10. Littlewoods pips Philips Green's Arcadia Group for seventh place, despite a 3 per cent slip in sales to GBP1.8bn in 2003.

The Arcadia Group saw a slight drop in sales following the sale of Principles, and has slipped from fourth to eight place. Bhs has also slipped down the rankings, although sales remained steady at GBP882 million for the year to March 2003. The table's biggest riser is the Lewis Trust Group, which includes the River Island chain. Sales of GBP477m in 2003 moved the group up 11 places to number 65.

Among sportswear brands and retailers, Mike Ashley's Sports World International entered the chart with sales of GBP398m in 2002. However, The Pentland Group, which owns the Speedo, Ellesse and Red or Dead brands, was the biggest faller, down 21 places to 92 with sales falling from GBP436m to GBP380m for the year to December 2002.

www.johnlewis.com
19 July 2004

Easter Boost Sales For John Lewis

Nationwide department store John Lewis saw a 6.7 per cent rise in the sales period over Easter, with trade strongest on Good Friday as customers stocked up for a four-day holiday.

With the Easter break falling earlier in the calendar than last year, like-for-like sales at its 26 department stores were 12 per cent higher, with childrenswear, footwear and stationery selling well as parents were shopping for their offspring to commence the new school term.

Department store sales totalled GBP42.2m in the week to April 10, with out-of-town branches, including stores at Bluewater and Cribbs Causeway, outperforming those in city centres.

The group's supermarket chain Waitrose saw Easter like-for-likes up by 4 per cent. Year-on-year, Waitrose sales were up 19.2 per cent for the week.

www.johnlewis.com
16 April 2004

John Lewis To Launch Credit Card with HSBC

Department store John Lewis, in conjunction with HSBC high street bank, is to launch a credit card partnership for the UK. The partnership will rejuvenate the current store card the departments shore has offered for more than 40 years. Also valid at the group's supermarket chain, Waitrose, the new card will counteract the decline of its store card since John began accepting credit cards four years ago.

As with most credit cards, reward points can be earned for cardholders, worth 1 per cent of any purchase made in one of its department stores or supermarkets, and 0.5 per cent of purchases made elsewhere. Vouchers will be given to customers in lieu for points.

Customer research suggested there was significant demand for a John Lewis branded credit offer. Interest on the card will be charged at 13 per cent, which the group said was lower than the rate charged by cards currently held by 80 per cent of its 5m regular customers.

The card is initially being offered to John Lewis employees - who make up the partners who own the business - and the group's existing store cardholders.
John Lewis also plans to avoid the problems experienced by Marks & Spencer when it began to automatically upgrade customers people from its store card to its new &More credit card.

www.johnlewis.com
29 March 2004

John Lewis Reports Christmas Sales Boost

John Lewis has out-performed Marks & Spencer and House of Fraser, reporting a respectable Christmas period with a like-for-like sales increase of 3.9 per cent for the seven-week period to January 10.

Fashion saw a 5.2 per cent rise overall, with womenswear and accessories up 5.8 per cent and menswear up 5.7 per cent for the same period.

www.johnlewis.com
30 January 2004

Sales Slip At John Lewis

Sales growth at department store operator John Lewis slipped back in the second week of its sale after a very string start.

Growth was down to a still-creditable 4.7 per cent in the week to January 10, after a 12.7 per cent rise the previous week, which saw the start of the post-Christmas sales.

Out-of-town stores saw the best performance, with the Bluewater branch recording the best year-on-year sales rise, at 32.6 per cent. A year ago snow kept shoppers away from the store.

19 January 2004
www.johnlewis.com

Congestion Charge Hits John Lewis London Stores

John Lewis chairman Sir Stuart Hampson has said the GBP5-a-day London road congestion charge has hit trading at its flagship Oxford Street store.

Sir Stuart said in the six months since the launch of the charge in February, its Oxford Street sales are down by 7.3 per cent, compared to a 1.7 per cent increase across the rest of the 26-strong John Lewis department store chain.

He further urged Transport for London to postpone plans to extend the charging zone, which would also cover the group's Peter Jones store. He asked for more support for retailers through a publicity campaign to make shoppers aware that the charge does not operate at weekends.

The past season has been difficult with a sluggish economy, the Iraq war, heat-waves and the 3 month closure of the Central Line in February. The only factor remaining, which impacts Oxford Street lies within the congestion charge zone.

5 September 2003
www.johnlewis.com

John Lewis To Open in Manchester

John Lewis is to open a full-line department store in Manchester's Trafford Centre in 2005.

The 200,000sq ft store will trade over two floors in the Festival Village area of the centre, currently occupied by small independents.

The Trafford Centre said some of the existing retailers may be relocated to the main Peel Avenue or Regent Crescent malls but many of them have leases which are due to expire shortly.

David Riddiford, the buying and merchandise director at Selfridges, which opened in the Trafford Centre in 1998, said: "John Lewis will be another good anchor, with Selfridges and Debenhams, and will pull in a more upmarket clientele."

28 August 2003
www.johnlewis.com

Hot Weather Affects Sales at John Lewis

The John Lewis Partnership reported a 12.7 per cent decrease in department store sales in the week to August 9 compared to a year ago. Only two department stores, Nottingham and Edinburgh, saw growth.

Supply-chain director for department stores Patrick Lewis said: "As the temperature rose, footfall and sales dipped in direct proportion and we ended with one of the lightest Saturdays we have recorded in recent years."

The John Lewis figures are likely to prove a bellwether for the performance of other UK retailers during a heatwave which saw temperature records broken. The SPSL retail traffic index shows customer numbers down by 12.5 per cent in the week beginning August 3, and 17.8 per cent in London and the south east.

19 August 2003
www.johnlewis.com

John Lewis' Talking Windows

John Lewis has installed whispering windows in its Edinburgh, Glasgow, Nottingham and London's Oxford Street stores.

They transmit sounds and music through a "bug" attached to the glass. The technology has been developed by Hull-based Newlands Scientific.

18 August 2003
www.johnlewis.com

John Lewis in Oxford

John Lewis, the UK's biggest department store, confirmed it is in talks with the Westgate Partnership to open a new full-line department store in Oxford. The Westgate shopping centre is an ideal location in the heart of the city.

Current department stores trading at the Westgate Centre are Debenhams and Allders.

20 June 2003

John Lewis Profits Fall, But Remains Confident
Department store group, the John Lewis Partnership, owners of the Waitrose food chain, today explained the reasons behind a 23 per cent fall in profits despite sales increasing.

The popular retailer, known for its "never knowingly undersold" slogan, revealed that accrued holdiay pay, decided by the Central Council last February, had hit the company along with refurbishment of a number of stores. It also revealed that its determination to be a `multi-channel retailer' with the long-term developments that this would involve, including e-commerce, would require it to carry losses in the short-term. John Lewis took over and refurbished 11 Somerfield branches and is also part way through a major project at its flagship Peter Jones store which is on budget and on time but has "knocked" around £17m from department store profits this year.

John Lewis' annual results for the year ended January 27 2001 show that group sales rose 10 per cent to £4.13bn, within which department stores divisional sales rose to £2bn. Pre-tax profits were £150m, down 23 per cent, including one-off costs. John Lewis also say that £350m was invested in the business and another £200m is planned for the current year. It also revealed that its 54,000 employees or "partners" will receive bonuses of 10 per cent of their annual salary - more than five weeks' pay.

Commenting on the annual results, Sir Stuart Hampson, chairman of John Lewis said: "At the half-year stage last September, we were showing a fall of 43 per cent in pre-tax profit and the previous year's pre-millennium boost to sales towered ahead of us. "Partners rose splendidly to that second-half challenge, so that for the year as a whole, we booked a profit just short of £150m. "That's still a 23 per cent fall on last year, but the sales performance shows that the direction of our business is closely in line with what our customers expect from us and the consequent growth in market share by both divisions supports our accelerated pace of investment in existing selling floors in and new ventures."

Sir Stuart Hampson was upbeat about the opening of the store group's first department store in the West Midlands, its e-commerce operations, WAITROSEdeliver and buy.com and defended its decision to pay a 10 per cent bonus to staff. He said: "We are optimistic about the performance of John Lewis Solihull, our first department store in the West Midlands, when it opens in September, but pre-opening costs will also bite.

The two e-commerce ventures will register losses in the current year." He added: "The central board was conscious that over the next few years we have a programme of substantial captial spending geared to the long-term strengthening of our business. "In considering the financing of those plans, it decided to retain £67.2m for re-investment into the business (compared with £83.2 m last year) and that £58.1m should be distributed as Partnership Bonus.

Fifty four thousand partners will share the bonus this year, compared with 41,000 last year." The store group also revealed that an extension of trading hours to "meet customers' expectations" was under review.
Source: just-style.com

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