John Lewis chief calls for "serious" Brexit debate

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
Sep 15, 2017

John Lewis chairman Sir Charlie Mayfield is calling for a “serious debate in Parliament about what kind of Brexit we’re going to have” as UK consumer confidence weakens and the group says that the second half will be affected.

The company on Thursday reported lower profits with exchange rates and political uncertainty being among the causes and its chairman said that a debate on Brexit would be “in the best interests of the country and the economy”.

He said the issues around the subject are complicated and that there is “a greater risk of a disorderly outcome” if the “core principles” aren’t worked out in advance.

”Brexit is having an impact on everybody,“ he added. ”Sterling is weaker and there’s evidence to show that confidence is being affected. We expect the headwinds that have dampened consumer demand and put pressure on margins to continue into next yer.”

Mayfield’s concerns over Brexit come as the Fashion offer at the John Lewis chain continues to go from strength to strength. While its Home offer was been sluggish, the Fashion directory has consistently turned in strong figures on the back of own-brand launches and the department store chain’s boss, Paula Nickolds, said the company has more to come this autumn season.