Heartwarming and full of plot holes: Our review of John Lewis’ 2016 Christmas advert, Buster the Boxer November 10, 2016 This year’s John Lewis Christmas advert, Buster the Boxer, has everything we have come to expect of the now hotly-anticipated generator of the festive feeling. It’s heartwarming, it’s full of plot holes and it makes you want to visit to retailer’s flagship store on Oxford Street. On the heartwarming front, it begins with a little girl, Bridget, who [...]
John Lewis just had the biggest week in its trading history with nearly £200m in sales thanks to Black Friday November 29, 2016 The jury may be out on the winner of the Christmas ad battle, but John Lewis has other reasons for festive cheer. The retailer has just revealed sales of £199.8m, up 6.5 per cent year-on-year, for the week up to 26 November. Spurred on by Black Friday and its price matching efforts on the "Never [...]
If the government is bold, a phoenix could rise from the ashes of Carillion January 23, 2018 There will be plenty of lessons to learn from the demise of Carillion, but what is going to be recovered from this mess? Just another me-too corporation, or something new and refreshing? With backing from ministers, and some daring, something fundamentally inspiring is possible. The Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee has already announced our [...]
On trend: Invest in the new era of British fashion brands February 21, 2018 The past few days have been some of the most important in London’s fashion calendar. As Fashion Week graced us with its presence once more, City A.M.’s Alys Keys reported on the shift towards a more democratic industry, propped up by the power of digital influencers. The internet will continue to redefine how we shop, [...]
John Lewis plans to expand cuts to premium pay ahead of government debate on the national living wage November 1, 2016 NULL
John Lewis just announced its Black Friday deals on Samsung TVs, KitchenAids, DKNY perfume, casserole dishes and more November 24, 2016 It's only one more sleep until Black Friday and John Lewis just announced its biggest set of deals ever. Of course, some of us may not be sleeping before the deals start. The John Lewis sale goes live at midnight. Stores will open early (8am) for people willing to fight through the crowds to the electronics section. [...]
John Lewis Partnership chairman Sir Charlie Mayfield admits pay changes in retail aren’t a “genuine move forward” November 16, 2016 The chairman of the John Lewis Partnership, Sir Charlie Mayfield, has admitted that the response to the national living wage from retailers has not been a "genuine move forward" for their employees. Following the introduction of the new national living wage, several retailers have cut staff benefits while increasing basic pay rates. Minutes from a John [...]
John Lewis boss confirms he is standing for Mayor of the West Midlands September 9, 2016 John Lewis' boss Andy Street has unmasked his ambition to become the mayor of the West Midlands. The retail head will stand as a Conservative candidate – in an area where all but one of the local authorities are run by Labour – and has said he will step down as the John Lewis chief if [...]
John Lewis warns on job losses due to its commitment to staff pay September 15, 2016 The John Lewis Partnership warned this morning that it may be losing staff "over time" due to its paying its employees higher than the government-imposed national living wage. The company committed to paying workers "well above" the new national living wage, but said this had landed it with £33m in extra costs. If the department store had [...]
Oxford Street businesses are up in arms over the road’s planned pedestrianisation December 19, 2017 Thought that businesses and residents would be happy about the plan to turn Oxford Street into a car-free zone? Apparently not, as groups in the area have launched a protest against the mooted pedestrianisation. Banning cars and buses from the infamous shopping district will lead to more pollution and gridlocked local roads, according to local [...]