With gifts a big part of the current John Lewis & Partners offer, suppliers will be reeling that this July will see the closure of the first John Lewis & Partners store in 13 years – Knight & Lee & Partners in Southsea, the smallest full line shop in the company’s retail estate.
“We have not taken this decision lightly and we considered every implication for our Partners, customers and the community,” commented Dino Rocos, partner & operations director. “However, a unique combination of factors, including the significant investment required and the opportunity to sell the property freehold, makes this the right decision for the financial sustainability of our business.”
He continued: “We also want to bring the very best of what John Lewis & Partners has to offer to all of our customers and, in Southsea, we believe we can better serve them through our Southampton and Chichester shops, and online with an improved Click & Collect offer at Waitrose & Partners Southsea.”
Knight & Lee was founded in 1865 and acquired by John Lewis in 1933. John Lewis & Partners plans to relocate 127 staff to other stores where possible, to avoid redundancies.
The retailer has a small, high quality shop estate with its shops playing a critical role in its relationship with customers. Last year, it was confirmed that, as part of its strategy to prioritise differentiation, the focus in property would be on maintaining the existing estate, with some resizing, repurposing or relocating, to ensure these shops are offering customers inspiration, and are in the right locations and the right size to deliver financial returns.
Top: Knight & Lee & Partners, part of the John Lewis & Partners retail estate, will be closing its doors in July.
