John Lewis is strengthening its in-store proposition forward of the important thing festive buying and selling interval, including three new hospitality ideas throughout its property as demand grows for retail environments that mix buying with locations to pause, socialise and refuel.
The retailer has now added over 15,000 sq ft of hospitality house this 12 months, working 63 cafés and eating places throughout its 36 shops, with hospitality gross sales up virtually 10% 12 months on 12 months.
At Peter Jones, Sloane Square, a brand new 250 sq ft seasonal Champagne Bar has opened within the central atrium, serving a curated menu of Lanson cuvées for stroll-in prospects by way of early January. Meanwhile, John Lewis Oxford Street has change into the primary European location for Warabi-Mochi Kamakura, the premium Japanese model identified for its matcha and conventional warabi mochi sweets.
John Lewis Southampton has additionally welcomed a brand new Ori Caffe (the eleventh within the retailer’s portfolio) bringing its Mediterranean-style menu to the second ground. This follows expansions of Benugo cafés in Norwich and Leeds, plus new or enlarged Ori Caffes in Liverpool, Solihull and Bluewater.
Katie Papakonstantinou, Director of Services & Hospitality for John Lewis, stated: “We’re regularly searching for methods to boost the John Lewis expertise, and the addition of the Lanson Champagne Bar, Warabi-Mochi Kamakura, and our new Ori Caffe in Southampton is a direct response to our prospects’ rising need to mix buying with distinctive and pleasing experiences.
“Our growth in hospitality sales over the past year is a clear sign that this strategy is resonating, and these exciting new concepts are central to our commitment to making our stores a true destination — for the festive season and beyond.”
The hospitality additions kind a part of John Lewis’ broader retailer transformation programme, which incorporates the close to £10 million refurbishment of John Lewis Bluewater and ongoing funding in Beauty Halls throughout Liverpool, Solihull, Welwyn and Cambridge.