UK's department store chain John Lewis considering opening shops in China | Beijing Bulletin

UK's department store chain John Lewis considering opening shops in China

Beijing Bulletin (ANI) Sunday 6th May, 2012

The John Lewis Partnership, an employee-owned UK partnership that operates well-known chain of up market department stores, is considering opening shops in China, a move that would mark its first foray outside Britain.

Charlie Mayfield, chairman of the partnership, which operates John Lewis department stores, Waitrose supermarkets and a number of other services, recently visited China on a mission focused on sourcing products, visiting rival retailers and spending time with potential customers.

The Telegraph quoted Mayfield, as saying that no firm decision has been taken till now, but he 'was attracted by the rate of growth in the country, 'partly as a result of the economic challenges in the UK'.

He, however, stressed that if the retailer were to open stores in the country, it was unlikely that they would be identical to the John Lewis British customers know.

"There's a danger people indulge in retail imperialism. My view is to think very carefully about what capabilities do we need to establish in order to succeed in international markets," the paper quoted him, as saying.

Mayfield cautioned that those capabilities might not initially be 'opening a shop', stressing it might be vital to first focus on the partnership's 'ability to originate and source unique product that is highly desirable' to potential customers.

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