John Lewis and Waitrose jobs at risk following restructuring plan

Outgoing John Lewis Partnership chair Charlie Mayfield has drawn up plans to reduce duplication at the business to cut costs sources told The Times.

The department store and grocers currently have separate HR departments, finance, marketing and procurement departments and separate operating boards in three different head offices - one for Waitrose, one for John Lewis and a third used for shared partnership services.

Before changes can be made, Mayfield’s plan will be discussed with the partnership council - its employee body that must be consulted on any decision that could lead to 12 or more employees being made redundant.

Another source said the partnerships pension scheme was also likely to be under review. Further details are set to be unveiled over the coming months ahead of new chair Sharon White’s arrival.

John Lewis and Waitrose were once pitted against each other but since the retailers were taken over by Rob Collins and Paula Nickolds they have been more aligned.

Several Waitrose executives moved from its head office in Bracknell to work from the John Lewis head office in London and plans are in place to adapt more of its stores to enable products form both John Lewis and Waitrose to be sold under one roof. 

John Lewis partnership reported a half-year loss of £25.9m earlier this month spelling trouble for the retailer.