-John Lewis to start Europe expansion with online services.

INTERNET BUSINESS NEWS-(C)1995-2011 M2 COMMUNICATIONS

14 February 2011 - UK department store operator John Lewis Partnership is preparing for a European expansion, starting with online services in up to 25 countries, the Financial Times reported.

Commercial director Andrea O'Donnell stated that initially confining foreign operations to the web was the most sensible strategy. By gauging the response, John Lewis can select cities where investment in physical stores would be justified, O'Donnell added.

Starting in June, continental consumers can place orders on the existing website but some products, like electrical goods and larger pieces of furniture, will not be available initially. Over the next year and a half, John Lewis will consider launching websites in other languages, accepting orders in foreign currencies and establishing call centres.

News of the planned continental offensive comes as Waitrose, the group's supermarket arm, prepares to open this week its first outlet outside the UK. The wholly owned store will be located in St Saviour, Jersey, and four other outlets are expected to start operating on the Channel Islands by end-April.

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