John Lewis undergoes restructuring of buying and merchandising teams
UK department store chain John Lewis is making significant changes to its buying and merchandising teams in the fashion and home departments. CEO Peter Ruis is leading the transformation programme, which includes creating 48 new roles and reviewing the future of 20 other positions.
Retail Week first reported the news, stating that the retailer is aiming to establish individual leadership positions in buying and merchandising across fashion and home. A spokesperson from John Lewis mentioned, “As we look to turbocharge our business and offer the best possible products to customers, we’ve proposed some changes to our buying and merchandising teams including the creation of nearly 50 new roles.”
The restructuring is designed to allow staff to focus on their specific expertise and provide clearer career progression opportunities. Ruis returned to John Lewis earlier this year, with his retail experience considered crucial for the company’s turnaround efforts.
In March, Ruis introduced plans to enhance the department store’s fashion offerings, focusing on improving profit margins. New brands like Hayley Menzies and Sol de Janeiro were added to the retailer’s roster. Despite challenges in the market, the spokesman expressed confidence in the progress of the transformation plan and the potential for growth.
