John Lewis will unveil a radical new look for its fashion offer as it puts millions behind building its fashion credentials.

Retail design and development director Gareth Thomas said the retailer, better known for selling home and electricals goods, will launch a “whole new fashion look and way of presenting fashion” in its Bluewater and Cardiff stores next year.

“It is an evolution clearly identifiable as John Lewis and it will give us credibility in fashion,” he added.

On Monday, the retailer will launch a£1.5 million fashion campaign featuring models Karen Elson and James Penfold.

Fashion sales at John Lewis, which was due to announce its interims as Retail Week went to press, are up 5 per cent for the six-month period to July 26.