John Lewis could close eight more department stores as retail industry woes continue

ohn Lewis could close another eight department stores as the pandemic continues to cause turmoil for the retail industry.

Chairwoman Dame Sharon White is said to be considering the closure of up to eight of its surviving 42 stores.

According to the Sunday Times, the final number of closures is not yet decided and will depend on negotiations with landlords.

Some stores may close and be relocated to a smaller property nearby, but older shops are said to be most at risk of shutting permanently.

It comes as the retail industry continues to grapple with the effects of the pandemic.

Figures from the Centre for Retail Research (CRR) reported a total of 176,718 job losses last year from high streets, main shopping destinations, towns and villages, as well as small shopping parades and isolated stores across the UK.

Professor Joshua Bamfield, a director at the CRR, warned of more difficulties for the sector this year.

“Our forecast is based upon a number of factors such as the cumulative effects of months of closure and its impact upon cash flow and rent arrears that will be payable when the moratorium ends,” Mr Bamfield said.

“Whilst the longer-term effects of the greater use by shoppers of all kinds of online retailing is likely to be hugely damaging for physical stores.”

He is expected to say that schools will reopen on March 8, when people will also be able to meet one person from a different household for a coffee or a picnic outside.

Rules could be further relaxed on March 29 to allow six people or two households to meet outside, while non-essential retail will open before the end of April.

Pubs and restaurants should be able to operate indoor service by May but could be allowed to serve customers outside earlier.

Music festivals and football matches should be allowed towards the end of May, with the introduction of rapid testing to screen fans for coronavirus.