John Lewis forecasts e-commerce growth

Friday, September 16, 2011 - 09:53 by Simon Crisp

In 3 years time retailer John Lewis believes that its online shop will be pulling in an annual turnover of £1 billion.

This year the firm predicts that it will make a fifth of its total sales via e-commerce and although it has seen an 18 per cent drop in profits during the first half of 2011, it has high hopes for the way the web will be able to support it if high street sales are flagging.

John Lewis has been investing heavily in its online services, creating a new Click & Collect option for anyone who wants to order online and then pick up their product from their nearest shop.

John Lewis saw sales at its online outlet increase by over 27 per cent in the first half of the year. With international delivery expanded to include 33 countries, it looks on track to hit its goal of making £1 billion from safe shopping online by 2014.

John Lewis has seen success in part due to the inclusion of Waitrose stores as part of its Click & Collect service, with further plans to make this online initiative available to a wider number of UK residents set to be enacted over the coming months.

Spokesperson, Charlie Mayfield, said that John Lewis was looking at a long term plan for growth rather than focusing on short-term concerns.

He said that the uncertain trading conditions were continuing to cause problems on the high street and would not abate unless retailers are able to innovate, invest and take every opportunity to make shopping as convenient and affordable as possible for UK consumers.

Mr Mayfield said that John Lewis and its partners are confident in their ability to continue strong online growth well into the middle of the decade.