New John Lewis boss White to launch strategic review

White, who took the helm at John Lewis last month and on Thursday is expected to unveil dismal results, is talking to consultancies including McKinsey about their involvement in a review, The Sunday Times reported.

White is expected to run the review along with Nina Bhatia, the newly appointed executive director of strategy and commercial development and a former McKinsey staffer.

A review would come hard on the heels of a restructure led by White’s predecessor, Sir Charlie Mayfield, designed to bring John Lewis department stores and Waitrose together as one business.

However, the restructure, which resulted in the departures of John Lewis managing director Paula Nickolds and her Waitrose counterpart Rob Collins, prompted widespread confusion in the retail industry and many questioned its merits.

A review by White would be likely to reassess the retailer’s commitment to its ‘Never knowingly undersold’ price pledge, as it seeks to adapt to the changing retail environment, and the future of its store estate.

John Lewis has already said that profits will be “substantially down” and the famous partners’ bonus is in doubt.

The retailer is likely to write down property valuations in Thursday’s results, The Sunday Times reported.