John Lewis downsizes head office space as it relocates

JLP, which owns grocer Waitrose as well as eponymous department stores, will move to 108,000 sq ft offices in Pimlico from its current 220,000 sq ft head office in nearby Victoria.

The smaller offices reflect continued hybrid working following the pandemic. The office move will begin next summer and is anticipated to save the retailer money, which will be welcome as it battles to turn itself around.

A John Lewis Partnership spokesperson said: “The move will help ensure we’re well placed for hybrid working and builds on more than 80 years of having a base in the capital.

“Over the coming months, we’ll get the building ready for us to move in next year”.

The move away from Victoria is the latest big change at John Lewis as it pursues a revival strategy led by chair Dame Sharon White. Last year, the group posted a loss and staff missed out on the bonus that John Lewis has been famous for.