John Lewis is closing all of its 50 UK shops for first time in 155years because of coronavirus
JOHN Lewis will be temporarily shutting all of its 50 shops at close of business on Monday because of the impact of Coronavirus.
Johnlewis.com will continue to operate as normal, alongside Waitrose shops and waitrose.com.
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This will be the first time in the 155-year history of the business that it will not open its shop doors for customers.
Waitrose food offers within department stores at Watford, Southampton and Bluewater will also close.
Customers can choose to have orders delivered to their home, or to Click & Collect from their local Waitrose.
The food halls within John Lewis Oxford Street and Waitrose shops which share premises with John Lewis space at Kingston, Ipswich, Stratford, Horsham, Basingstoke and Canary Wharf will remain open.
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All 338 Waitrose shops in England, Scotland, Wales and the Channel Islands will remain open as will waitrose.com.
Over 2,000 John Lewis employees are already working in Waitrose shops to assist with the unprecedented demand for grocery and other essential goods.
Wherever possible, staff will be redeployed to provide additional support to Waitrose and johnlewis.com.
The brand says there has been a rising demand in food so far and this may peak further, as people are asked to stay at home.
Fashion sales to decline but Electricals & Home Technology and some Home product lines to increase as people continue to work from home and need to stay connected.
Chairman Sharon White, said: “The welfare of our customers, communities and Partners is always our absolute priority.
“The Partnership has traded for over 155 years, during which time we have faced many difficult periods, including two world wars and the 2008 financial crisis.
“On every occasion, thanks to our customers and Partners, and the long standing relationships with our suppliers and stakeholders, we have emerged stronger.
“We all need to continue to support each other and our strength and resilience will be tested. But they will not be broken.”
Which brands are shutting up shop
HERE is the list of all the retailers that have said they are closing their doors thanks to coronavirus
- Boden – closing all stores
- Burton – closing all stores
- Calvin Klein – closing all stores
- Clarks – closing all 441 stores
- Dorothy Perkins – closing all stores
- Evans – closing all stores
- Fenwick – closing all stores
- IKEA – closing all 22 stores
- John Lewis – closing all 50 stores
- Miss Selfridge – closing all stores
- Oxfam – closing all 600 charity shops
- Starbucks – closing all UK branches
- Sweaty Betty – closing all stores
- TK Maxx – closing all 349 stores
- Topshop – closing all 300 stores
- Wallis – closing all stores
Topshop closes its 300 stores leaving furious employees worried about pay.#
Ikea is set to close all 22 UK stores due to coronavirus, but customers can still shop online.
And TK Maxx has shut all of its 349 stores as the virus continues to spread throughout the UK.