Hundreds of John Lewis jobs at risk as retailer confirms major changes

• 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.

IN FULL

John Lewis puts hundreds of jobs at risk as foreign exchange and gift wrapping counters axed