John Lewis Proposes Closing 55 In-Store Services, Putting 200 Jobs at Risk
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 8
John Lewis Proposes Closing 55 In-Store Services, Putting 200 Jobs at Risk
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 8
Summary
Around 200 John Lewis staff face possible redundancy this autumn under plans to shut in-store foreign exchange desks and dedicated gift-wrapping areas, with no final decision yet made.
Falling demand drove the proposal: customers are increasingly ordering foreign currency online for store collection, or using cards and digital payments abroad, while gift wrapping would move from specialist counters to tills.
The changes would hit 30 shops with bureau de change closures and 25 with gift-wrapping closures; John Lewis said it would consult affected staff and seek redeployment where possible.
The move extends a broader overhaul under chair Jason Tarry, who took over in 2024, after the retailer closed its housebuilding arm in February and resumed staff bonuses in March.
John Lewis's latest results showed a £21 million pre-tax loss after £120 million in one-off costs, even as underlying profit rose 6% to £134 million and sales increased 5% to £13.4 billion.