John Lewis moves to engage customers with new retail concepts

The nation’s favourite retailer is introducing three innovative retail concepts that it says will bring products to life, allowing customers to try before they buy and clearly match products to their lifestyle needs. 

 The new consumer electronics, home and menswear concepts will debut at John Lewis Stratford City when it opens on September 13. They will become the standard for all new department stores and future refurbishments of the retailer’s existing shops.

 The concepts will allow customers to interact with products including the full electricals and home technology range, design elements of their home in a revitalised home concept and access the latest menswear brands and accessories in a revamped menswear department.
 
The development of the new concepts marks the next phase in a £250 million commitment earmarked by John Lewis for investment in existing department stores, new shop openings, e-commerce and infrastructure during 2011.

 John Lewis managing director, Andy Street, said: “The development of these new retail concepts will create a more aspirational shopping experience by allowing our customers to interact with products. 

 “This will really set us apart on the UK high street and I’m excited to see these new concepts in situ for the first time at John Lewis Stratford City when it opens in under three weeks.” 

 The new consumer electronics concept will, for the first time, allow customers to try out all products in the electricals and home technology (EHT) range. Stocking all the latest products, many of the ranges will be exclusive to John Lewis.

 Customers will also have the opportunity to opt into additional services which have been specially designed to support them in getting the most from their technology purchase throughout its life. This includes getting the product set up quickly and easily and support in providing solutions after purchase.

The first department stores to benefit in 2011 from the addition of all or some of the new concepts are Cheadle, Norwich, Peter Jones, Reading, Southampton, Stratford City and Welwyn.