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John Lewis has announced that it is shutting its international business operations only weeks before Christmas, according to The Times.
The department store chain is believed to have decided that its international business is too expensive and will stop taking new orders from 9 December.
The decision is said to have confused the business’ senior partners, with one telling The Times that he was “stupefied” by the decision.
It is understood that Brexit may have been a factor in the retailer’s decision making due to the extra costs involved in exporting goods overseas after the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.
However, John Lewis also revealed that it is joining other retailers, such as Ikea and Currys PC World, in extending shop opening hours to help to manage crowds of festive shoppers.
Speaking to The Times, a John Lewis spokesman said: “As part of our Partnership Plan for the next two years, in John Lewis we have decided to focus on areas of the business that will deliver products and services for our local UK customers.
“As such, we are no longer pursuing international expansion.”
