Full-year sales at John Lewis stores could fall 35 per cent April 21, 2020 Full-year sales at John Lewis could fall around 35 per cent, around double the current level, as the department store faces a significant drop in demand due to the coronavirus pandemic. The department store said a 35 per cent drop would be the worst case scenario, assuming a significant drop between April and June, and [...]
John Lewis cuts bonus and puts stores at risk of closure March 5, 2020 New John Lewis Partnership boss Sharon White this morning slashed workers’ bonuses and announced store closures as the struggling retailer posted a dive in profits for 2019. The figures John Lewis cut its bonus to two per cent today, down from three per cent last year, the lowest pay out to partners in 67 years. [...]
New John Lewis boss to launch strategic review March 1, 2020 Struggling department store chain John Lewis is expected to launch a strategic review in a bid to rescue the business as it announces its full-year results later this week. Former Ofcom boss Sharon White, who took over as chairman of John Lewis and Waitrose last month, and newly appointed strategy and commercial development director Nina [...]
Online harms laws will not harm free speech, vows Ofcom boss February 27, 2020 The rollout of new laws to tackle so-called online harms will not lead to censorship or damage free speech, a top Ofcom executive has said. Earlier this month the government said it would appoint Ofcom as Britain’s first internet watchdog, tasked with crackdown down on illegal and harmful material on social media sites. The beefed-up [...]
BBC calls for ‘demonstrable resilience’ as it launches search for new boss February 10, 2020 The BBC has fired the starting pistol on its search for a new director general, calling for applicants with “demonstrable resilience” as it tries to head off fierce political pressure. The broadcaster today published a job advert for its top position after current director general Tony Hall announced plans to step down in the summer. [...]
New John Lewis boss makes first key hire February 4, 2020 Former Ofcom boss Sharon White has made her first key hire as she takes over as chairman of struggling department store John Lewis. Nina Bhatia has been appointed executive director of strategy and commercial development following a reshuffle of the partnership’s structure. Bhatia, who was most recently managing director at home energy management company Hive [...]
‘Clerical error’ wipes out Dixons Carphone’s sales growth January 21, 2020 Dixons Carphone was left red-faced today as it admitted that its sales growth figure actually represented a decline. The retailer updated the stock market on its Christmas trading figures this morning, telling investors it had enjoyed a two per cent rise in reported sales. However, six hours on Dixons Carphone reversed the number into a [...]
Outgoing John Lewis boss Paula Nickolds in line for £750,000 payoff January 12, 2020 The outgoing managing director of John Lewis Partnership is in line for a £750,000 payoff. Paula Nickolds announced her departure last week following the company’s profit warning, just three months after being appointed as the partnership’s head of brand. The Sunday Times reported that Nickolds was offered a payoff at the time of the restructuring, [...]
Four challenges Sharon White must address at John Lewis January 9, 2020 Incoming John Lewis Partnership boss Sharon White will have a big job on her hands when she joins the retailer next month, as this morning’s trading update showed. The department store issued a profit warning today and made the surprise announcement that John Lewis managing director Paula Nickolds will leave the partnership in February. It [...]
John Lewis issues profit warning as MD steps down January 9, 2020 John Lewis & Partners issued a profit warning today and said its managing director will leave the struggling business next month after underwhelming Christmas sales. The retail partnership warned full-year profits will be “substantially down” on last year as it revealed significant drops in both John Lewis and Waitrose revenue. Read more: Four problems new [...]