- John Lewis is proposing to cut approximately 200 jobs as part of plans to close its in-store foreign exchange bureaux and specialist gift-wrapping services.
- The department store chain has initiated a consultation process with affected staff regarding the closure of bureau de change counters in 30 stores and dedicated gift-wrapping desks in 25 locations.
- These changes, expected to take effect this autumn, are attributed by John Lewis to evolving customer shopping habits, including increased online currency purchases and a preference for card payments abroad.
- While dedicated gift-wrapping desks will close, the service will still be available at store tills, which the retailer states will make it more accessible for customers.
- The proposals come as John Lewis continues its business reshaping efforts under chairman Jason Tarry, following a pre-tax loss of £21 million, although underlying profits showed a 6 per cent increase.
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