John Lewis acts on rising demand for beauty ranges
John Lewis has launched a £9m investment to go into its beauty department across several branches. The retailer is looking to supercharge its beauty business as a result of the fashion department being out sold by face creams, makeup and perfumes. Furthermore, the development will include the introduction of new brands.
Stores in Cambridge, Cribbs Causeway, and Bluewater will have their beauty halls increased by about 50%. While stores in Cardiff, Stratford, Peter Jones and Cheadle are also receiving investments in their beauty halls.
Also included in the plans is the distribution of existing popular brands. These will include Chanel, M.A.C, Marc Jacobs Beauty, Tom Ford Beauty, Charlotte Tilbury, Jo Malone, Urban Decay, and La Prairie. You’ll be able to find these brands on the department store’s website. They will be available via click & collect and many will feature in the two new stores to come. The first will be opening in Chelmsford on 29th September. While the other will be opening in Leeds on 20th October.
“Beauty is one of the best performing categories at John Lewis and a significant football driver, so this investment is a reflection of our ambition in this space,” buying director for fashion and beauty at John Lewis, Ed Connolly said. “We are continuing to bring new and contemporary brands to our customers across both fashion and beauty, and we have one of the widest and best beauty selections of any department store in the world.”
The news has come as no surprise as John Lewis has joined a number of retailers, including Marks & Spencer, and supermarkets, such as Sainsbury’s, in expanding their beauty ranges due to rising demand.
In contrast, fashion retailers aren’t doing so well. They have hit a rough patch that saw 2015 autumn and winter sales hit by the warm weather. More recently the wet and chilly start to summer 2016 forced many chains into early discounting.
The John Lewis refurbishments will be complete by the end of October later this year.
