Department store chain John Lewis is to launch a dedicated fashion website in autumn to rival online giant Asos.

John Lewis managing director Andy Street told Retail Week the website would be “our version of Asos”.

The site will sell John Lewis own brand lines, alongside brands that are already stocked in its stores such as Ted Baker, Whistles and Jigsaw.

“We know that our customers buy clothes from Asos,” said Street.

John Lewis reported sales in fashion, which includes beauty and childrenswear, were up 4.7 per cent to£928m in the year to January 31, 2009.

Street said it was undecided whether the fashion website would offer new brands that are presently unavailable in its stores. The website’s name is also as yet undisclosed.

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