No surprise; I've been involved with John Lewis for a while. I see Birmingham and Watford are closing. Again, no surprise. The way Karma works!

Karma? Confused... I understood that John Lewis has been traditionally good to its staff, giving them an annual bonus from its profits.

I see that Boots is also cutting jobs and possibly shutting optician stores. Shame for all the people losing their jobs.

Oh it's amazing how things link up when you look closely Jo. Notice the Mayor of Birmingham used to run... John Lewis??!!
Indeed; Boots too. When the stupid CoronaVirus thing dries up I expect media will return to Brexit and a few publications may even shift sides and say it was a terrible mistake.

JK2006 wrote:
Oh it's amazing how things link up when you look closely Jo. Notice the Mayor of Birmingham used to run... John Lewis??!!
Indeed; Boots too. When the stupid CoronaVirus thing dries up I expect media will return to Brexit and a few publications may even shift sides and say it was a terrible mistake.

I think I must have completely missed something because this sounds like a trollish rambling.

John Lewis? The mayor? You?


It is a shame about the shops closing, but I am not at all surprised.
Mine is overpriced, understocked, dimly lit, and the cafes are terrible.
And this one is staying!

Despite c540k people dying, it may well be that this virus is trivial.

What isn't trivial though is its enormous economic cost.

Unprecedented - and to be outstanding for ever.

Although interest will be paid on the debt, it'll never be repaid.

Honey wrote:
It is a shame about the shops closing, but I am not at all surprised.
Mine is overpriced, understocked, dimly lit, and the cafes are terrible.
And this one is staying!
I shop for clothes with them online and find their service excellent. Wide range of brands, prompt and fuss-free delivery, reasonable delivery charge, uncomplicated returns policy. I really hope they don't go under completely, or I'll have nothing to wear!

Barney wrote:
Despite c540k people dying, it may well be that this virus is trivial.

What isn't trivial though is its enormous economic cost.

Unprecedented - and to be outstanding for ever.

Although interest will be paid on the debt, it'll never be repaid.





What would happen if the world collectively decided to write off the debts?

I like John Lewis and will continue to shop at Peter Jones and other outlets. I'm sorry if my passing comment was too subtle Honey (it was meant to be; one person will understand). Likewise I'm a regular Boots customer; I'm sure both will prosper, having trimmed out dead wood.

I like John Lewis too, they have good quality clothes and homeware, however I don't like it's sister store Waitrose, which is full of middle class food snobs, too up themselves to shop at Tesco or Morrisons, and would rather pay more for the same products.

Excuse me Robbie I'm a big Waitrose fan but make sure I buy my basics cheaper in Tesco.

JK2006 wrote:
Excuse me Robbie I'm a big Waitrose fan but make sure I buy my basics cheaper in Tesco.

Likewise. When Morrisons stock decent flour, yeast and frozen chestnuts, I will get them there.

Dorking's purpose-built Waitrose is a joy to shop in. Everything is on the ground floor (apart from car parks) and the building blends in with the historic market town.

Their fish counter is simply amazing in terms of variety and quality - and the new store's popularity was evidenced by the long queues outside, in recent months.


With a bright restaurant overlooking the ancient North Downs Way - shopping here makes you forget what a chore it is.

And escators and stairs - as well as stress (they'll even bring your groceries to your car, at no cost) - are nonexistent.

The queues were due to stupid Covid Barney; I learnt to park and use the lifts!

I'm aware of that, JK! But the lengthy Waitrose queues - compared to those for other supermarkets in the town - showed how popular the place is.

And the much larger than average spaces in the car park - are more than capable of accommodating your Rolls Royce.

Which I've seen parked outside the store - on the busy one way South Street more than once.

Oh yes Barney and will be, I hope, for many more years! It was a pain finding parking when they switched to that tiny store in the High Street whilst renovating!