What: John Lewis Partnership expands its in-store offerings through a collaboration with Caffè Nero, opening coffee shops across John Lewis and Waitrose locations, building on their existing loyalty program partnership from 2021.

Why it is important: This collaboration represents a key element of John Lewis's retail-focused transformation strategy, combining established brand partnerships with enhanced customer amenities to strengthen its competitive position.

John Lewis Partnership has launched a new phase in its collaboration with Caffè Nero, introducing coffee shops across its retail network. The expansion includes five new Caffè Nero locations in Waitrose supermarkets and a shop in the John Lewis Westfield White City store. This development builds upon their initial partnership from 2021, which offered free hot drinks to My Waitrose loyalty card holders. The initiative recognises stores' roles as community hubs and responds to customer demand for post-shopping refreshment options. This move is part of John Lewis's broader retail-focused strategy, which includes recent developments such as an expanded beauty hall and new Waterstones bookshop in its Oxford Street flagship, with a Jamie Oliver cookery school planned for spring 2025.

IADS Notes: Following its £800 million retail investment plan and successful revival of the "Never Knowingly Undersold" pledge, this food service collaboration enhances the customer experience in both John Lewis and Waitrose locations. The move aligns with other experiential retail initiatives, such as the upcoming Jamie Oliver cookery school, as the company focuses on creating compelling reasons for store visits.

John Lewis & Partners opens Caffè Nero shops in stores