Deparment store group John Lewis has today denied claims that it is to extend its click & collect service to corner shops.
Following a speech by Managing Director Andy Street at the British Retail Symposium 2012 yesterday, it had been reported that the leading retail group was to offer a service allowing customers to collect items from local corner shops.
Helen Dickinson, Head of Communications for the retailer, spoke to Retail Gazette and strenuously denied the claims.
“Andy spoke about omnichannel and part of that is the click & collect service which allows shoppers to collect items from John Lewis and Waitrose branches. This allows for national coverage which is great as the whole point of omnichannel is this widespread coverage.
“Yes, click & collect will be extended and we are forging partnerships with companies other than John Lewis and Waitrose.
“I don‘t know where this corner shop thing came from as it is unclear at present what will happen, though we are looking to expand.”
Last week, John Lewis reported an 11.5 per cent total sales rise on last year for the week to June 22nd 2012, buoyed by a 38.4 per cent increase in sales at johnlewis.com.
