John Lewis launches supplier platform to expand premium brands
Russell and Bromley is among the first to join the platform, marking what John Lewis described as a ‘significant evolution’ in the way it works with suppliers
John Lewis has launched a new supplier platform aimed at speeding up the addition of premium fashion and lifestyle brands to its range, as part of its ongoing strategy to strengthen its position in the higher-end retail market.
The platform, developed with technology firm Mirakl, allows suppliers to list and ship products directly to customers, removing the need for John Lewis to hold stock. The retailer said the change would enable faster onboarding of brands and greater choice for shoppers across its website and app.
Luxury footwear company Russell and Bromley is among the first to join the platform, marking what John Lewis described as a “significant evolution” in the way it works with suppliers.
Rachel Morgans, director of fashion at John Lewis, said: “Our ambition is to be the definitive home for premium brands in the UK. This new platform is a huge step on that journey, giving us the agility to bring newness to our customers at speed.”
Andrew Bromley, chief executive of Russell and Bromley, added: “The parallels between Russell and Bromley and John Lewis when it comes to customer service and quality make them an obvious choice for us.”
The move builds on a series of digital and fulfilment upgrades at John Lewis, including the rollout of its ‘deliver from store’ service, which allows online orders to be fulfilled from store stock, and a rapid delivery pilot with Uber Eats. More than 20 stores now operate under the fulfilment scheme.
