Waterstones is set to make a significant return to the renowned Oxford Street in collaboration with John Lewis.
- The new bookshop will occupy a space on the second floor of the John Lewis flagship store, offering nearly 20,000 books.
- This re-establishment marks Waterstones’ return to a location it vacated in 2016, where it once had four stores.
- The collaboration is seen as a strategic alignment with shared customer values between John Lewis and Waterstones.
- Both brands express enthusiasm for the new venture, which aims to enhance customer experience.
Waterstones is poised to reopen its doors on Oxford Street, this time as part of a collaborative venture with John Lewis. The bookshop will be situated on the second floor of John Lewis’ flagship department store, positioned adjacent to its café. The scheduled opening date is 8 October, and the shop-in-shop will feature an impressive collection of nearly 20,000 books catering to varied interests such as non-fiction, fiction, and children’s literature.
Previously, Waterstones maintained a strong presence on Oxford Street with four stores, but the final one closed in 2016. This new partnership represents a significant return to this bustling shopping avenue, reflecting Waterstones’ confidence in the viability of physical retail space combined with the strategic advantage of being within a well-trafficked department store.
Kate Skipper, the Chief Operating Officer of Waterstones, expressed excitement over this new chapter, emphasising the store’s suitability for book browsing and as a venue for author signings. She highlighted the expertise of Waterstones booksellers who will be on hand to assist customers. Her statement, ‘We can’t wait to open our doors on Tuesday 8th October,’ encapsulates the anticipation surrounding the launch.
The initiative is equally celebrated by John Lewis, with Katie Papakonstantinou, the Director of Services and Hospitality, highlighting the synergy between both brands. She noted the alignment in customer values and the commitment to providing an enhanced shopping experience. The addition of the Waterstones bookshop is viewed as an investment in strengthening their customer proposition by extending product and service variety.
This partnership between Waterstones and John Lewis signifies a strategic move to revitalise retail offerings on Oxford Street, promising a robust customer experience.
