John Lewis announces the integration of home improvement services
Published: June 11, 2019 – Fiona Garcia
As part of its strategy of expanding beyond stores and online to new and expanded services, John Lewis & Partners has announced plans to expand its offering so that it is now not just home furnishing, but also expanding and renovating.
John Lewis already runs a home improvement booking site, Home Solutions, and took over home improvement company Opun last year. Today, however, plans were announced to bring the two home improvement companies together while aiming to create “a truly differentiated home improvement offering”.
The company stated, “By creating a 21st century home improvement offering in what is now a fragmented sector, customers benefit from a comprehensive home improvement service that encompasses inspiration, design, project management and execution.”
Home Solutions enables customers to source and book trusted handyman for a range of home improvement services. The company currently works for JLP Ventures, a team within the John Lewis partnership developing new client proposals for John Lewis and Waitrose. Home Solutions is rolling out continuously across the country and will expand its coverage to Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex and Kent in the coming weeks.
Opun, which manages large home improvement projects such as loft conversions and extensions, and bathroom and kitchen design and installation, was acquired by the John Lewis Partnership in June 2018 and is a wholly owned subsidiary. Since the acquisition, Opun has focused on refining its business model, strengthening its team and developing its service technology while continuing to run high quality home improvement projects.
This change will bring the two companies together within the John Lewis & Partners Services Directorate and leverage their complementary capabilities.
Sean Lewis, Director of Services at John Lewis & Partners, said, “The acquisition of Opun last year demonstrated our ambitions in the household services market. Today’s announcement is a critical next step in strengthening and expanding our services business. Bringing the teams together is an exciting opportunity to work together, share knowledge and learn together and create growth opportunities in the fast-moving home improvement market. “
John Lewis had a difficult year in 2018, seeing profits drop 45% to £ 130m as high street department stores struggled to stay relevant in an increasingly competitive market. The retailer is no doubt hoping that offering a full top home renovation and home furnishings store will help increase sales and keep the store running longer. At John Lewis department stores, sales in the home categories rose 3.1% this week, after textiles and home accessories sales rose 4.9% from the week of the previous year. Sales of electrical and home technology rose by 0.9%.
Rod Brown, Co-Founder of Opun added, “Joining the John Lewis partnership has been an exciting move for Opun, especially now that we are partnering with Home Solutions. We know that both companies share the same values - putting customers first and providing first class service. We know there are great opportunities in the home improvement market. Hence, as a company, it is exciting to move into the next phase. “
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