John Lewis is investing £50m across five stores this year as part of its wider push to turn its estate into more experience-led retail destinations.
The department store chain said Glasgow, Cambridge, Leicester, Reading and Liverpool will benefit from the latest phase of investment, with Glasgow receiving more than £20m in a full redevelopment.
The Glasgow project marks John Lewis’s largest single-store investment in recent years and will see every floor of the 28,000sq m store upgraded across fashion, beauty, home and technology.
The store will remain open throughout the refurbishment, with the phased transformation set to run until spring 2027.
John Lewis said the work forms part of its wider £800m brand transformation, which will eventually see investment made across all 36 of its stores.
The retailer said the programme is designed to improve the customer experience and respond to changing expectations, as shoppers increasingly move between online and physical stores.
It said demand remained strong for the services only stores can offer, including tailored advice, personal styling and the opportunity to try products first-hand.
Last year, John Lewis hosted a record number of service appointments across areas including personal styling and nursery advice.
Hospitality now accounts for more than one in five store transactions, as shoppers increasingly use stores for a mix of retail, services and food and drink.
The retailer said refurbished stores had delivered sales growth following investment, alongside improvements in customer satisfaction.
The latest round of funding will include multi-million-pound investments in Cambridge, Leicester and Reading, while Liverpool will receive further enhancements after investment last year.
It comes alongside the transformation of John Lewis’s hospitality offer, with its new Platter John Lewis concept set to be rolled out across 32 cafés and restaurants by the end of 2027.
John Lewis managing director Peter Ruis said: “Whether customers shop with us online, in our shops or across both, they expect the same trusted advice, service and experience.
“We’re continuing to invest across our estate so our shops reflect the things customers value most about John Lewis, expert guidance, inspiring products and the confidence to make the right choice.
“These investments are about more than just a fresh look. They are about creating places where customers love to spend their time.
“The response from customers to the improvements we’ve already made gives us confidence to continue investing for the long term.”
Buchanan Galleries owner Landsec welcomed the investment in Glasgow, describing it as a “powerful vote of confidence” in the city.
Buchanan Galleries centre director Kathy Murdoch said: “It complements our own plans for Buchanan Galleries, where we are investing to enhance the retail and leisure offer, create new experiences, and support Glasgow’s continued growth as a leading UK destination.
“The centre will be open and trading as normal throughout, and we look forward to seeing the new store take shape.”
Small Business and Economic Transformation minister Blair McDougall said the investment was “a strong vote of confidence in our high streets and the future of the UK retail sector”.
Scottish Government minister for business and fair work Tom Arthur added that the Glasgow refurbishment would support the city centre’s reputation as a shopping destination and could help drive further footfall and investment.
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