John Lewis launches in-store repair trial
The John Lewis Partnership has introduced a new 16-week repairs trial in select stores, which will provide mending, restoring and dry cleaning by Timpson Group's Johnsons.
Now available in five John Lewis branches - Oxford, Liverpool, Cheadle, Milton Keynes and Welwyn - the service offers repair and alterations, laundry, and dry cleaning with any brand accepted.
Kathleen Mitchell, Commercial Director at John Lewis, said: "Our customers come to us for fashion and homeware that’s well made and will last – and this just takes that mentality and service one step further.
"We want to help them extend the wear of their fashion items and have the option to bring those much-loved items back to life – whether they are hanging by a thread or just need a simple stitch or two.
"Teaming a new, crisp white linen shirt with a pair of much-loved denim shorts gives our customers the opportunity to extend the lifetime of their favourite wardrobe staples, for years to come."
The department store will attempt to learn what customers want during the trial, including the services shoppers are looking for, the type of garments most repaired and the type of customers seeking the repair service.
The move forms a part of John Lewis’ circular economy strategy and follows the launch of its 20-piece circular collection last month.
The collection, which includes nightwear and filled bedding, aims to support the retailer's commitment to ensure that 100% of new own-brand products are designed with circularity in mind by 2028, with the aim to "minimise waste and maximise longevity".
It also comes as John Lewis boss Peter Ruis plans to increase the amount of staff working on the shop floor in an effort to improve its customer service.
Ruis is renegotiating contracts with fashion brands so they can pay the department store a lower rate of commission in exchange for getting more employees to work on their concessions.
The chief executive, who re-joined the firm in January, said he wants to introduce a "Selfridges-style" approach of highly attentive customer service.
