Not content with excellent Christmas sales, Dixons Carphone boss Seb James now wants to “redefine retail”.

James’s plan takes its cue from the rise of the sharing economy, shifting away from the traditional retail model by converting customers into members.

He wants shoppers to sign up for a subscription that will entitle them to access a bundle of goods and services, such as repairs, installations and upgrades in his stores.

“Shoppers are now only grazing on ownership,” James said today. “We’ll be recruiting members to the business rather than just selling another telly.

“That way, when they need anything, they will come back to us.”

It’s a position that most retailers can only dream of.

Elsewhere today, sales at department store chain John Lewis rose last week as it launched its spring fashion offer.

And clothing manufacturers who have supplied Boohoo, New Look and River Island stand accused of underpaying workers in Leicester factories. 

Quote of the day

“We will not tolerate suppliers paying less than the minimum wage nor are we prepared to see employees’ safety jeopardised”

– Boohoo joint chief executives Mahmud Kamani and Carol Kane on the Leicester factory scandal 

Today in numbers

14

The number of new format Carphone Warehouse stores that Dixons Carphone plans to open by the end of May

9.5%

The rise in John Lewis home department sales in the week to January 21 

Tomorrow’s agenda

WHSmith is set to reveal details of its Christmas trading performance, ahead of its AGM.

Becky Waller-Davies, fashion reporter

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