UK. The John Lewis Partnership will not be reopening its London Heathrow Terminal 2 store as the company consolidates its UK network. Its other Travel Hub shop, at London St. Pancras Station, will also close.
The 3,600sq ft airport store and the 3,000sq ft rail outlet, each of which opened in 2014, are among eight that will close across the country.
John Lewis said: “Prior to the pandemic, the eight shops identified were already financially challenged and the pandemic has accelerated the switch from shopping in-store to online. Before the virus struck, 40% of John Lewis sales were online. This could now be closer to 60 to 70% of total sales this year and next.”
The John Lewis Partnership Chair Sharon White said: “Closing a shop is always incredibly difficult and today’s announcement will come as very sad news to customers and Partners. However, we believe closures are necessary to help us secure the sustainability of the Partnership – and continue to meet the needs of our customers however and wherever they want to shop. Redundancies are always an absolute last resort and we will do everything we can to keep as many Partners as possible within our business.”
The company said that 1,300 staff would be affected by the closures.
