Thousands Of Jobs In New John Lewis Stores
Monday 25 July 2011 8:42 AM
Retailer John Lewis is set to create thousands of new jobs with the opening of ten new 'mini-stores'.
It is planning to open outlets smaller than the famous department stores but larger than its 'at home' shops.
The firm says around 3,000 jobs will be created in total, with 300 of them in the first to open in Exeter.
The company said it had identified at least 10 areas in the UK it would like to expand into that were unsuited to traditional department stores.
Managing director Andy Street said: "There is a huge potential, and a clear demand from customers, for John Lewis to expand into more key locations in the UK.
"This new flexible approach to the size of our shops allows us to forge ahead with our growth plans to introduce John Lewis branches and our full-line assortment to cities and towns where we have long wanted to have a presence."
The announcement is a rare piece of good news for the struggling retail sector, which has seen a string of high-profile names hit trouble in recent months.
Department store T J Hughes was forced into administration in June, putting 4,000 jobs at risk.
Jane Norman closed 90 stores, Mothercare axed 110 shops and chocolate firm Thorntons shut down 120 of its outlets.
HMV, Game and JJB Sports have also been forced to slim down their store estates.
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