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John Lewis names first stores to reopen in June

John Lewis
John Lewis

The John Lewis stores in Poole and Kingston will be the first to reopen on 15 June followed by another 11 sites later that week, the employee-owned retailer said on Wednesday.

The stores at Bluewater, Cambridge, Cheadle, Cheltenham, High Wycombe, Horsham, Ipswich, Norwich, Nottingham, Solihull and Welwyn will welcome customers back on Thursday 18 June.

The announcement follows the Government's decision to allow non-essential shops to resume trading next month after all were forced to shut their doors in March.

The first John Lewis stores to reopen have been selected because of their accessibility by car, meaning both staff and shoppers do not have to use public transport.

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Sharon White, chairman of the John Lewis Partnership, said: “Our shops reopening is a sign of hope as we begin to find our new normal. There’s an opportunity, now, for us, to come back stronger as a business, and offer the safety and reassurance that customers will want."

Business Briefing Newsletter REFERRAL (Article)
Business Briefing Newsletter REFERRAL (Article)

While the business had experience of social distancing in its Waitrose supermarkets, which have remained open during the lockdown, "new ways of working" would be required for the 50 department stores.

"We are taking this cautious approach to be able to learn as we go and to make sure that our shops are as safe as they can possibly be for our customers and Partners," Dame Sharon added.

Steps being taken include reducing the number of shop entrances; restricting the number of customers entering stores and using escalators and lifts; installing protective screens at checkouts; frequent rigorous cleaning; and keeping fitting rooms closed until further notice. Returned stock will be separated from other items for 72 hours in line with government guidance.

Other steps that could be taken include virtual queueing, returns drop boxes and enabling collection of online orders from car parks.

John Lewis also said online had soared by 84pc between 15 March and 18 April.