John Lewis announces business focus renewal

UK-based company The John Lewis Partnership has announced a renewed business focus on differentiation and innovation.

The company operates both the fashion, home and technology retailer John Lewis as well as the convenience-chain Waitrose.

Chairman of the John Lewis Partnership, Sir Charlie Mayfield, said “as retail changes we need to tread a path that enables us to thrive as a business while building on the qualities that make us different.”

“For us, the relentless pursuit of greater scale is not the right course.”

The announcement release notes “clear plans to build on our strengths and to sharpen our points of difference in both Waitrose and John Lewis.

“These plans include further investment in and development of unique products and service, together with a greater emphasis on own brand and innovation.”

Waitrose will renew its focus on core customers, and plans to extend further the range of “exclusive products while continuing to raise the quality”, including a greater focus on health and well-being.

The chain is also committing to a higher level of customer service with “an increase in the number of specialists to advise customers” in store.

John Lewis will focus on three key areas; unique products, personal service and expansion into new services.

“At the heart of the strategy is developing a curated and targeted assortment, which is increasingly unique to John Lewis,” reads the announcement.

“Key to this is supercharging women’s fashion, acquiring new niche brands, securing exclusives with international brands and significantly growing design capability”.