John Lewis has launched three new in-store dining experiences as sales in its existing hospitality outlets have risen by almost 10 per cent over the past year.

The retailer said the move responds to continued demand from customers to combine shopping with experiences, such as relaxing and refuelling in a cafe or restaurant.

John Lewis has opened a 250 sq ft Champagne Bar in the Peter Jones Store, located in Sloane Square, London.

The pop-up bas has twenty stools around a central bar, additional small tables, and will remain open until early January.

In the John Lewis Oxford Street store, a 450 sq ft branch of Warabi-Mochi Kamakura has opened in what John Lewis says is a European first.

The premium Japanese brand specialises in matcha and warabi mochi, a traditional Japanese confection.

With 49 stores across Japan, and 20 stores across 10 other countries, John Lewis said Warabi-Mochi Kamakura will appeal to an international clientele as well as
introducing UK shoppers to a new concept.

Building on its success in other stores, John Lewis Southampton has opened a new Ori Caffe, which is the eleventh Ori Caffe to open in the company’s store estate.

John Lewis said the hospitality investment is a key component of its wider store transformation plan, which has involved a £10 million refurbishment of its
Bluewater store as well as investments across its beauty halls in Liverpool, Solihull, Welwyn, and Cambridge.

Katie Papakonstantinou, director of services & hospitality for John Lewis said the company is always looking for ways to improve the customer experience.

“We have also recently expanded the Benugo cafes in our Norwich and Leeds stores, and this year also added Ori Caffes in our Liverpool and Solihull stores and expanded our Ori Caffe in Bluewater - this is a countrywide investment,” she added. “Our growth in hospitality sales over the past year is a clear sign that this strategy is resonating, and these exciting new concepts are central to our commitment to making our stores a true destination - for the festive season and beyond.”

Last month, John Lewis opened a VIP lounge in its Oxford Street store, a members-only space offering complimentary drinks and massages as the retailer steps up efforts to draw shoppers back to its physical estate.

The John Lewis Lounge will be available to members of the My John Lewis loyalty scheme and is being trialled through the Christmas period.

Guests will be welcomed with a glass of sparkling wine or a hot drink and offered hand and arm massages alongside Waitrose chocolates and nibbles from Benugo.

The lounge accommodates up to 30 customers an hour, with members able to book in advance or walk in if capacity allows, and bring up to two guests.

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