'the fall from grace for John Lewis has been "spectacular" '

[NotAGirl]

I suspect we've all seen the news that JL partnership bonuses are much reduced this year. This bbc article implies whilst things have been bad JL has had a particularly bad few months www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-51750252 Waitrose profits have not been hit in the same way. As always there's a number of causes but I haven't been in my local JL store for months now, basically not since the unisex changing room news. I have kept going to Waitrose as it's been the only supermarket within easy reach

I think this might be a good time to get in contact with JL customer services to explain why we no longer want to use their stores. For many of us they will now be able to see the change in our purchasing record at an individual level.

I've no wish to see the partnership go out of business but I'm struggling to get past the 'ick' factor of not knowing who might be in the cubicle beside me and what they might be doing and I don't want to do business with companies who show contempt for my viewpoint

One up on you, Dame, I’m neither.

John Lewis isn't doing well but it's still doing better than its peers. Employees will still get a bonus of 2% of their salary of which £3600 will be tax free. How many other retail assistants will be receiving that? Gone are the glory days of 26% bonuses for sure.

Bricks and mortar retailers can't compete with online - that's it. JL works ethically with suppliers - there's a limit to how much you can discount and still be fair to your suppliers.

The effect of the changing room debacle will be minimal - and I say that as a loud and active GC woman. (and I have to explain to almost all of my friends and family what gender critical is)

I’m in my sixties, and none of my contemporaries want to share changing rooms with men. In John Lewis, M and S, or anywhere else. And we are the core demographic for both stores - I doubt many teen or twenty something fashion victims go in there. It’s beyond stupid business practice to piss off your vote customers - and JL deserve everything they’re getting. Serve them bloody right.

John Lewis are not alone in their struggles. Austerity, changing shopping habits, business rates etc. are all significant factors in the success of bricks and mortar stores.

I genuinely don't think the success (or otherwise) of individual retailers is down to who uses their changing rooms, as much as I would like it to have an effect.

Core, not vote! Bloody phone.

Unless all their customers read the threads in feminism boards on here, they are unlikely to know.
Does anyone even use them anymore? They used to be stocked with boxes and junk, and smelt sweaty, I never use them in any shops.
I doubt any wailing about shared changing rooms will have anything to do with losing custom, they're just out priced by shops that cater for wc and low income.

My view is that JL have priced themselves out of the market. Never Knowingly Undersold is a joke when they stock unique versions of items (the one with the green button rather then a white button) so the prices can't be compared. I used to shop there a lot but now I feel ripped off. Even when I go in with the vouchers I've earned from their credit card I don't feel like I'm getting value for money!

My nearest JL had a MtF trans person manning the female changing room when I was last there in December. I did most of my Christmas shopping online after that.

You might get deleted for that "manning"

Throughthegate- I wasn’t being deliberately provocative that is the correct word for the job they were doing.

Oh I know, I was finding humour where I can sorry.
I do think words like manning are sexist but I think a woman complaining about it would likely get ignored - a transwoman would have a better shot at policing language, I'm guessing.

Well it is the "Queen's English," but which sort of queen are we talking about?

Arrogant but not stupid...

aye right. some people are arrogant enough to have no idea they're thick as pigshit.

I had an order from them delivered today. Every single item completely wrapped in single use plastic, with the plastic hangers (useless).
I know a lot of people trying to cut down their consumer impact, and use less plastic. Perhaps this plays a part.
I won't be ordering again; not when Zara is doing plastic free deliveries.

The high street is dying - anything they can do to help would be useful.

However deciding to open up changing rooms for the tiny% if those who demanded it Vs the number of people who thought ‘stuff that I’ll go elsewhere then’ Isn’t good business sense. Lore knows what other decisions they have made - it all adds up.

I suspect the actual number of people boycotting JL due to their transgender policy is so small that it will make no difference whatsoever

I think even a 2% drop in customer sales can be quite significant for a company, actually. Also their attitude to changing rooms reflects their general attitude to customers.

I suspect the actual number of people boycotting JL due to their transgender policy is so small that it will make no difference whatsoever.

I'm certain you would very much like to believe that, but you'll never know.

I’m just one wee soul - but used to go in every day on my way home from work to the Waitrose in the basement. I would also buy things like lightbulbs (we have weird ones that keep blowing) and furniture. We bought DS new wardrobe and tall boy from elsewhere. A lamp shade broke and we bought elsewhere. We had to get a new washing machine at Christmas - elsewhere. When the dishwasher dies - Also elsewhere. The fridge is 18 years old, so that’s going to to soon I would guess (same the oven and job). We need to do up the whole living room and that will all be coming from elsewhere also.

Not a major fortune but I’m just one person.

Also a large picture frame came from elsewhere. DS bought me an expensive valentines and then birthday presents (and some perfume) and went elsewhere too.

John Lewis fucked me off with their abysmal 'customer care' service during the period they farmed it out to the Capita rottweilers.

I'd thought the that JL couldn't get worse.

And then they did, with letting men in women's and girls' private changing spaces.

It all builds up into brand annihilation.

Here’s another view. I use the ladies loos in JLP Oxford because the trans loonies have got rid of all the ladies loos in the university.

I love JLP. They are a remaining safe space in a town full of stinking filthy gender-neutral loos.

I don’t like buying clothes off the internet, so would always opt for a high street store with changing rooms.

I am doing my best to avoid M&S/JL/Waitrose, partly because of the changing room issue and the fact that they clearly don’t want my custom, partly because of plastic and environmental issues. (The amount of plastic in M&S Food is incredible!)

So:

1. I am buying fewer clothes
2. I am buying less food, mostly from local markets with the odd trip to Lidl.
3. I am saving lots of money, plus losing weight by shopping and eating more carefully.

All win really.

John Lewis can stuff themselves. I support its partner structure, but frankly if managers won’t listen to either partners or customers, how can they be helped.

(As a landlord I would also say that their delivery systems are shite and I now always use AO as they will deliver white goods from different suppliers in one go....and don’t get me started on their made to measure curtains/blinds and the weird processes that seem inevitably to involve Scottish call centres who cannot provide any relevant information. Local shop every time.)

I really like them and had great customer service recently

Not really understanding why main retailers are shooting themselves in the foot with this ridiculous changing room policy. Who is deciding this and are the retailers being pressurised to make these adaptations?