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John Lewis has teamed up with Randox Health to open health clinics within its stores, aiming to attract more foot traffic amid challenging trading conditions. The new clinics will offer comprehensive health checks, including tests for vitamin deficiencies, hormone levels, and other key health indicators, providing a personalized wellness experience for shoppers. Managed by Randox Health staff, these clinics aim to make healthcare accessible and convenient for John Lewis customers, with services priced from £295.
The first clinic will open on December 18 in John Lewis’s High Wycombe store, followed by locations in Bluewater, Kent, in December, and Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, in January. The collaboration reflects John Lewis's strategy to increase in-store services, as footfall has declined with the shift to online shopping and remote work. The goal is to offer services that can’t be replicated online, enhancing the shopping experience with amenities that draw customers back into stores.
Randox Health, known for its role in Covid testing during the pandemic, has over 20 clinics across the UK. The company's rapid expansion coincided with a surge in Covid testing demand, although it faced scrutiny in a lobbying scandal linked to Conservative MP Owen Paterson.
The initiative aligns with John Lewis’s broader transformation strategy under chair Sharon White, who introduced new services to counter declining sales. White, who will step down in 2025, has focused on a two-year turnaround plan for the retailer after the company reported a £59m loss in the first half of the year. John Lewis’s move to incorporate healthcare is part of a broader effort to redefine its role as a community hub, offering services that enhance customer convenience and well-being, with the long-term goal of reinvigorating in-store shopping experiences across its locations.