John Lewis in Trouble

[TrainedByCatsToBeScathing]

John Lewis are struggling, even the Waitrose side of things. 11,000 out of a workforce of 80,000 is a lot, I’m sad for their mostly female sales force and there’s many reasons for their problems particularly with them not adapting quickly to the challenge from online sales.

However I was a very regular shopper in my local John Lewis and I stopped completely after their patronising offensive response to my query about single sex changing rooms a few years ago. I’d buy furniture, white goods, kitchenware, electronics, carpet, clothes, toys, haberdashery, cosmetics, shoes even jewellery (I was shocked when I realised how much I defaulted to John Lewis as it took a little while to switch to alternatives some of my loyalty was convenience). Obviously I’m just one shopper but it never seemed a good idea to piss off loyal customers as when trading conditions are challenging you need those customers even more.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13082653/John-Lewis-threatens-staff-disciplinary-action-unacceptable-comments-internal-intranet-retail-giant-considers-cutting-11-000-jobs-bid-recover-230m-losses.html

The decline is nothing to do with trans issues though. All the large department stores, reliant on lots of customer purchases in high street-based, maximum footage stores had bit the dust in the early 2020s. They just couldn't compete with online sales and the decline of the traditional high street.

M&S has managed to weather and survive it by jettisoning city centre stores, and moving to out of town retail areas (JL did not do this - they just got rid of stores) where customers can park. Reducing product lines, you need smaller stores to do this or they do get that end of line, warehouse look and running their food business on the back of a smaller range of largely own brand products. They've finally returned to profitability and are expanding again, but only in out of town areas.

John Lewis has struggled to form an online identity and has lost it's high street presence so it has the worst of both worlds. I suspect it is struggling online at the moment as it is still at the top end of the high street market in terms of prices and the cost of living crisis means that people just aren't spending enough money with them.

I’ve bought some ok stuff from the Anyday range. I appreciate they’re trying to have some more affordable ranges, which contrasted with the Fenwicks I went into when visiting Newcastle recently. That seems to have gone £££ only.

Also the tech warranties have been good, I’ve had multiple items repaired and they were very easy to deal with.

I used to spend £15,000 a year in Waitrose.

They redesigned the store to put a coffee counter in the wine department (to drink your free coffee) and a bakery/cafe. To accommodate this they raised the shelf heights

I am 5 foot 7 and cant reach the top shelf, every trip was other women asking me if I could stretch to pass them x or y

The wine counter is now a dumping ground for cardboard boxes and the cafe is closed and its an empty area.

They dont know or value their market.

Chilling. That article should be viral.

This is truly awful 😱
It's a classic example of how an unrepresentative small group of people are able to spread conspiracy theories, unscientific gender woowoo and most chillingly, openly undermine the safeguarding of children via a major business.

It's extremely manipulative, factually inaccurate and creates a hostile environment for anyone who knows that sex is binary, children should be safeguarded, breast binders are dangerous and that young children shouldn't be transitioned before they're old enough to fully consent. Which ironically is the majority of the population.

I love John Lewis. I’d be gutted if they closed. The staff in my branch are friendly and very helpful. Even the young men! They are the only shop I really visit where I am. They have stuff I want and I trust their customer service.

Last time I was in there a dog was slobbering around the womenswear section. I had no idea that dogs were allowed in and asked a young woman on the tills why the rules had changed.

I was patronisingly told she loves dogs and loves to see them. I politely told her that I don't understand why dogs need to be taken clothes shopping and that I find it very off putting to have dogs and their associated slobber, hair and smell around new clothes. I asked if she could please feedback to management that it's likely to decrease customer numbers. She refused. Couldn't see the problem.

I haven't been back.

FFS

The introduction to the magazine starts in the usual way, emphasising that its purpose is to “celebrate” and “educate”. Readers are told that ongoing debates around gender ideology are nothing more than “pointless politics” and that individual decisions they take should support JLP to “become the UK’s most inclusive business”.

"Educate and celebrate"

I'm so sick of these companies that think they should be educating us. Fuck off with that. Why can't they understand - we just want to buy the stuff and go home. They can piss off with the lectures and virtue signalling.

The fact that I can no longer shop in JL without being surrounded by barking dogs is a bit of a game changer for me.

I have a dog. I have survived this far without taking him high street shopping.

I love John Lewis and have had a loyalty card for 30 years. Most of my domestic items come from there. I'd be devastated to lose my local store -though it seems relatively safe and is one of the top performers, I understand.

Though - in recent years many of the staff are not what they once were ( a few 'proper' J.Lewis staff do survive) and lack the professionalism and customer focus of old.

Yes they allow dogs! All dogs. Not just assistance ones. I don't hate dogs but I don't want this either. Plus I fear it will lead to an uninformed backlash against people who actually need them. Those who have a dog that can't survive a few hours at home should either fix that situation or shop online. It's ridiculous.

JL has lost its focus on its core customer base (middle aged, middle class looking for good quality products and excellent customer service). Granted that the retail sector has shrunk and so new customers needed to be enticed in, but they’ve fallen into the trap of taking their eye off their core customer while doing so. Just like M&S. (And I don’t quite believe the M&S recovery just yet, although I did buy an item of clothing that wasn’t lingerie for the first time in 5 years before Christmas so maybe they’re on the way)

the JL I visit most often now since they closed York is the one in the Trafford Centre. It hasn’t declined as badly as some of the other branches mentioned here but compared to how it was pre-Covid it has definitely lost some of that “premium shop” feeling, with occasional stock gaps and less staff attentiveness. It still has a haberdashery although the choice of dress fabrics isn’t that much better than my local Boyes.

I was patronisingly told she loves dogs and loves to see them. I politely told her that I don't understand why dogs need to be taken clothes shopping and that I find it very off putting to have dogs and their associated slobber, hair and smell around new clothes. I asked if she could please feedback to management that it's likely to decrease customer numbers. She refused. Couldn't see the problem.

That is appalling.

They welcome dogs in to pee and slobber on their goods. Snouts which were probably up another dogs arse minutes earlier.

They do not respect women. Actual women, not the pretend sort.

I cannot think of a good reason to step inside my nearest branch. I won't lose any sleep if they close.

Justme56 · Today 09:45

^https://www.jamesesses.com/p/the-trans-takeover-of-john-lewis^

That is indeed very disturbing; I wonder how much that load of crap cost them?

Perhaps the JLP employees/partners on here could tell us whether there are similar initiatives for staff and customers to raise awareness of issues for those with other protected characteristics such as disabilities? Articles about difficulties of shopping when you’re a wheelchair user? Impact of store layout on those with impaired vision? Some basic ESL tips and best practices for interacting with lip readers? Discussion on the type and volume of store music and the effect on neurodiverse people?

The JL in our city is the only proper department store left. I do shop there a lot, both online and instore. Haven’t always had the best service in all departments but the children’s department recognise us and even remember my DD’s name.

There always seems to be too many staff vs the number of customers so they have time to stand in small groups chatting. It worries me that the store could be closed down if they’re always over staffed. At Christmas time during one of their events the store manager was going from department to department advising staff that takings were poor.

I take my dog regularly to Oxford Street- we walk up to collect my click and collect orders with him. Sorry !

NeverTrustAPoliceman · Today 10:36

They welcome dogs in to pee and slobber on their goods.

It's very silly, isn't it? apart from anything else, they shed hair (I have a dog) and may have fleas, which are liable to get onto the clothes. If nothing else, it's an annoyance and at worst, some people are allergic to animal hair.

It's a bit sad to see as it was a destination to shop. You got really good basics in the clothing (it was never high fashion but good quality). I bought my dining table there, beautiful top end Danish thing. And the staff were treated well and knew their area. They would specialise in lighting, furniture, fabrics, electrical, kitchen stuff... now all gone.

I don't use it now. Agree on AO. Great service and keen prices!

The one in Brent Cross is still good, have bought some good bargains there, Restaurant is always packed, maybe it’s in a good location.

I’m glad you had a good experience. It used to be standard, sounds like it’s more hit and miss now. It’s a shame. If they can turn it around like M&S seem to be doing I’d be happy!

I used to shop there regularly when DC were younger. I haven't set foot in JL since they started promoting GI and won't give them another penny. I hope they're watching Body Shop. Go woke go broke.

Oh my God. That is very disturbing. I had no idea about this.

Do all these posters not shop online - that is why JL is going downhill - it’s too easy to buy cheap stuff online
Also shoplifting-the ones I visit have huge open glass doors on several floors of the shopping centre-a gift for shoplifters.