John Lewis & Partners – in partnership with Waitrose & Partners – has unveiled a concept shop at its Southampton location, where a combination of services and experiences take centre stage.
Offering experts including interior designers, chefs and wine connoisseurs, gardeners, gadget specialists, personal stylists and make-up artists, the customer-centric concept could be rolled out across the country if it proves successful, says the retailer.
Peter Cross, customer experience director at John Lewis & Partners, says: “Our goal is to offer customers unrivalled access to expertise and impartial advice in as many areas of their lives as we possibly can – in a way that is uplifting and inspiring. We know that shopping for a new gadget or beauty product can be a daunting experience, with so much choice on offer. We want to help navigate customers through that.
“Our new concept shop is an example of how we’re reinventing the department store of the future to make us stand out from the competition.”
