Rise

John Lewis, founded in 1864, started as a small draper shop in Oxford Street, London. Over the years, the store gradually expanded and diversified its offerings. One area it started to excel in was lighting. It introduced its first lighting range in 1905 and has been a market leader ever since.

John Lewis’ unique selling point when it comes to lighting has always been the quality and design of its products. It has built a reputation for providing consumers with high-end products at affordable prices. The store’s lighting range includes table lamps, floor lamps, wall lights and ceiling lights, each with unique designs and finishes.

John Lewis also prides itself on providing excellent customer service, both online and in-store. Its staff are trained to help customers choose the best lighting solutions for their homes and offer advice on installation and maintenance.

The Fall

Despite its early success, the rise of online shopping and competition from cheaper retailers started to take a toll on John Lewis’ lighting business. In 2019, the store announced that it was closing all its lighting departments and would no longer sell its own-brand lighting products.

The main reason for this decision was that sales had dropped significantly as people turned to cheaper alternatives. Meanwhile, online retailers like Amazon and Wayfair were offering similar high-end lighting products at lower prices, making it difficult for John Lewis to compete.

Lessons Learned

John Lewis’ fall from grace in the lighting industry offers a few valuable lessons for other businesses:

Adapt or Die

In an ever-changing market, businesses need to be able to adapt to new trends and consumer demands. John Lewis failed to do this, which ultimately resulted in the closure of its lighting departments.

Customer Service is Key

While John Lewis’ customer service has always been a point of pride, it was not enough to save its lighting business. However, providing excellent customer service remains a vital part of any successful business strategy.

Stay Competitive

John Lewis’ inability to stay competitive in terms of pricing was one of the main reasons for its downfall. It’s essential for businesses to stay on top of their competition and offer products and services that appeal to customers.

Conclusion

John Lewis’ rise and fall in the lighting industry is a cautionary tale for any business that fails to adapt to change or remain competitive. However, it’s worth noting that the store’s overall success has remained strong despite this setback, and it will continue to be a significant part of the UK retail market for years to come.

As for the lighting department, it may be gone, but the legacy of John Lewis’ quality and design lives on through other products and offerings at the store.