Published
Mar 2, 2020
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John Lewis chief Sharon White 'plans strategic review'

Published
Mar 2, 2020

John Lewis’s new chairwoman, Dame Sharon White, is continuing to show that she doesn't feel tied by decisions taken under her predecessor and is ready to launch a strategic review of the business, according to a report. The news comes in the week that John Lewis is set to report its latest results.


John Lewis could be facing another strategic review - Photo: Sandra Halliday



White has been in the hot seat for only a month and is reportedly speaking to several consultancies, including McKinsey, about taking part in the review.

An earlier review under previous chairman Sire Charlie Mayfield resulted in major changes in the organisation of the company’s two retail chains, with John Lewis department stores and Waitrose being brought closer together. A number of respected senior executives left the company as a result.

Another review coming so soon into White’s tenure is leading some analysts to believe that she could undo some of the decisions taken previously.

The Sunday Times also reported at the weekend that John Lewis’s results presentation this coming Thursday could see it writing-down the value of its department store retail properties to the tune of hundreds of millions of pounds. And it's been suggested that the bonus the company’s staff (known as partners) receive each year could be as low as 2%. However, there had also been speculation that it could be scrapped altogether this year on the back of weak performance.

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