Following the government’s announcement that non-essential retailers will be allowed to reopen their doors from next month, John Lewis has revealed plans to restart trading in some of its outlets.
It will begin to reopen its department stores for customers as part of a “gradual approach” from 15 June, starting with its Poole and Kingston outlets. This will be followed by 11 others on 18 June.
Depending on the response to the new ways operating with respect to social distancing, more of its shops will open throughout the summer.
The Partnership said it would be using learnings from the social distancing measures taken in its Waitrose shops. The first John Lewis outlets set for reopening were chosen primarily because of their accessibility by car.
John Lewis temporarily closed all of its 50 department stores on 23 March when the government put the UK on lockdown. While it has experienced a significant uplift in online sales, the retailer has already warned that its annual sales could fall by up to 35% due to the store closures and weak consumer demand in the months ahead.
Reports at the end of last month suggested that John Lewis may decide not to reopen all of its stores even when lockdown restrictions end as it tries to restructure the business to cope with the tough trading conditions.
Sharon White, Chairman of the John Lewis Partnership, said today: “The momentous events of the last few months have tested our resilience as a business, but our resourcefulness, innovation and the spirit of cooperation between Partners has really shone through.”
She added: “Our shops reopening is a sign of hope as we begin to find our new normal. There’s an opportunity, now, for us, to come back stronger as a business, and offer the safety and reassurance that customers will want.”
Following the government’s announcement at the start of the week, several retailers have confirmed that they will begin reopening stores on the 15 June. These include Greggs, NEXT, and Halfords.
NAM Implications:
- All now depends on the bottom line…
- …or should.
