John Lewis envisages expanding its store portfolio by more than a third, managing director Luke Mayhew told delegates at the BCSC conference.
The retailer sees the opportunity for an additional 10 stores during a 2008 to 2012 growth spurt. John Lewis operates 26 department stores and is opening at the Trafford Centre, Manchester, in 2005.
Locations identified as suitable for stores include the Leeds-York-Harrogate triangle, the Midlands, south of the M25 and the West Country.
John Lewis has earmarked£300 million for store expansion and is reported to be in discussions over a number of sites.
The partner-owned business has spent£300 million refurbishing its existing stores over the past four years to improve profitability.
Mayhew said John Lewis was also well-placed to capitalise on the present uncertainty over the future of rivals Debenhams, House of Fraser and Allders, as well as Selfridges' recent announcement it was axing its regional development plans.
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