John Lewis to create 35000 new jobs

[Kwackerz]

Retailing giant John Lewis Partnership is planning to create 35,000 new jobs under an ambitious 10-year plan for the employee-owned business, it has been reported.

The partnership board of John Lewis, which also owns supermarket chain Waitrose, is said to have signed off the plan to create a 100,000 strong workforce by 2017 in recent days, The Observer newspaper reports.

The proposals are said to envisage significantly increasing the partnership's 26 department stores and 184 Waitrose branches and doubling sales to £12 billion. At least 10 new department stores are planned.

The move throws down the gauntlet to rival department chains House of Fraser and Debenhams, as well as J Sainsbury and Marks & Spencer, which both target upmarket food consumers.

The partnership's development director, Mark Price, first revealed plans for the expansion in John Lewis's internal magazine.

Mr Price said: "We have agreed our commitment to double the sales of the partnership over the next 10 years.

"We want to make more profit for partners which means making sure that our operations, in terms of systems, processes and procedures, are as efficient as possible."

John Lewis is set to announce annual results in two weeks which should see bumper bonuses for the company's current 65,000 staff following a strong period for the business.

Demand for electrical goods and beauty products helped increase sales 10% in the approach to Christmas.

Last year the John Lewis Partnership made pre-tax profits of £251.8 million on sales of £5.7 billion for the 12 months to January 28.

I cant help but feel a sense of unease at this. I dont know why. It just worries me somewhat. I know it's over a 10 year period and 35000 extra employees over that period is nothing really. I guess it's just the thought of 35000 more checkout girls chewing gum and sighing 'You want a bag for that?'

Hmm.

[Myrkk]

surely if it is employee owned then it is in their interests to be polite......

I quite like John Lewis..... their sewing/craft dept. was the best around for material while I lived in Cambs. However, it did depend upon how you were dressed when you went in as to the service you got....... If I went in in my work togs then fine..... if I went in in my leathers they were snooty.

[Aladinsaneuk]

I just saved 300 uid on my new laptop from john lewis - it was cheaper than currys....

[Kwackerz]

I'd always found John Lewis to be on the expensive side of cheap!

I shall have to peruse their website!

[Myrkk]

I've always found John Lewis reasonable. But then I've never bought furniture or stuff from them....... usually just small electricals, lots of fabrics and sewing/crafty stuff, housey stuff....... we had our wedding list there and most items were under £30.

[Aladinsaneuk]

and unlike the twonk in currys who was trying to tell me that 1gb of ram was overkill for windows vista, the salesman in JL knew his stuff - was pleasantly surprised

I paid 800 sheets for my new toshiba, and that was very competitive for the high street, i could have saved 100 if i had done an internet buy BUT i had my reasons for wanting it there and then

(Valentines, baby stuff shopping and a doting wife with a good credit card..... works for me every time - "
how would you like to pay sir? Cash or card?" "
Do you take Wife???"

[D-Rider]

I'd always found John Lewis to be on the expensive side of cheap!

I shall have to peruse their website!

I think it depends what you're buying - food, for example, from Waitrose is expensive.
{I used to work there as a Saturday job when I was at school - to pay for fuel for my bike (that was more than 30 years ago)}

When I lived in Reading, Heelas, their department store could be very good value for some things.

[Gio]

I guess it's just the thought of 35000 more checkout girls chewing gum and sighing 'You want a bag for that?'

Hmm.

Shows what you know about John Lewis.


PS We really need that "ah well" emot

[Kwackerz]

Shows what you know about Waitrose then, Gio!

Visit the one near Fleet for an example!

[Samray]

We haven't got a "handbags" emoti either!

[Gio]

Shows what you know about Waitrose then, Gio!

Visit the one near Fleet for an example!

Thats 20 odd miles away, we have 4 in a 7 mile radius

[Gio]

We haven't got a "handbags" emoti either!

Or a "Choo Choo" one either

[Anorak]

I cant help but feel a sense of unease at this. I dont know why. It just worries me somewhat. I know it's over a 10 year period and 35000 extra employees over that period is nothing really. I guess it's just the thought of 35000 more checkout girls chewing gum and sighing 'You want a bag for that?'

John Lewis and Waitrose operate very differently from Tesco...

[Gio]

I cant help but feel a sense of unease at this. I dont know why. It just worries me somewhat. I know it's over a 10 year period and 35000 extra employees over that period is nothing really. I guess it's just the thought of 35000 more checkout girls chewing gum and sighing 'You want a bag for that?'

John Lewis and Waitrose operate very differently from Tesco...

The word Tesco is short for "The Errant Shoppers COmpany"