John Lewis
(Picture: PA Archive)John Lewis has revealed new senior appointments - including bringing in a "store of the future" director - as the retailer attempts to update its offering for the post-pandemic era.
The department store chain has had a difficult year, and in March the employee-owned parent John Lewis Partnership said it was not planning to reopen eight of its 42 John Lewis shops from lockdown, adding to eight closures last year.
Today John Lewis said it has appointed Stephen Spencer, currently director real estate, store development and strategic sales at athleisure brand Lululemon, as director of store of the future for John Lewis.
Spencer will join at the end of July. The retailer said: “He will play a critical role in the work we are doing to rebalance our store estate including where we open new, more local shops that reflect how our customers shop today — as well as ensuring that our existing shops continue to be inspiring places to visit.”
The retailer also plans to invest £50 million in johnlewis.com this year as shoppers continue to buy online.
Rosie Hanley will join from eBay and be head of brand and marketing, and Steve Masterton moves from Dunelm to be director of online trade.
John Lewis executive director, Pippa Wicks, said the trio "will all play critical, leadership roles in delivering our turnaround strategy as we invest to accelerate our online business, make our existing and future new format shops extraordinary destinations and modernise our brand".
