John Lewis’ new Cheltenham shop has its eyes on big spenders with a new private shopping service that will give customers the stores all to themselves.
Shoppers will have access to John Lewis’ new private shopping service as long as their bill tops at least £10,000.
For that price, staff will be available after normal shopping hours specifically to serve individuals, groups of friends or a family.
It’s one of 20 new services now available at the new Cheltenham store, which opens tomorrow.
“Previously the reserve of exclusive boutiques for the famous few, this autumn in Cheltenham, with the help of our army of expertly trained partners, we are bringing the intimacy, luxury and magic of personal shopping to the high street”, said John Lewis director of customer experience Peter Cross.
While department stores were formally thought of as a retail destination and experiential offering in their own right, many are now competing with experiential spending on mini breaks, beauty treatments and leisure activities.
John Lewis will now be stepping up its game with so-called experience desks where concierges can book appointments for shoppers such as blow drys and manicures.
Additional services such as John Lewis’ recently launched Shopping List will enable customers to book out time with a sales assistant to help them complete a list or shop for specific gifts.
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Wow, is it any wonder their business is in such trouble. Message to customers – YOU ARE NOT IMPORTANT. ONLY RICH PEOPLE ARE IMPORTANT. YOU ARE SECOND CLASS TO US. Its like the Waitrose free coffee messaging – OUR PRICES ARE HIGHER BUT WE ARE HAPPY TO GIVE YOUR MONEY TO COMPLETE STRANGERS SO THEY CAN COME AND GET A FREE COFFEE EVERYDAY.
Before you make this sweeping inaccurate and presumtuous statement Graham maybe avtailly visit the store during opening hours and look at the service you get…
If you’ve got £10k to spend you aren’t going to John Lewis to spend it. Also have you tried finding any people to help you in their stores, it’s a shambles..
Yes we aren’t important because we aren’t rich enough. Who Cares?
Let them go under – the rich are fickle and will go where the status is. If JL doesn’t supply it they will leave in droves.
Now Waitrose only supply free coffee if you can produce a receipt to show you have just bought something – why didn’t they think of this before?!
I’d actually go into the store during hours and look at the service you get before commenting that any of their customers are not important them Graham.
Don’t worry Graham, Chris and Elaine. Soon there won’t be any physical shops left for you to moan about…