John Lewis opens revamped Edinburgh store

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
May 13, 2021

John Lewis is unveiling its revamped Edinburgh department store on Friday after a multi-million pound refurbishment. The focus is on making the physical store a must-visit destination, offering experiences that can’t be replicated online as well as access to face-to-face expertise.

The company said it’s “an important part of our strategy to invest in our existing estate, creating inspiring spaces to showcase our products, experiences and services”.

The shop in the St James Quarter (one of the UK’s largest regeneration projects), offers a new range of services and experiences. 

Barry Blamire, Head of Branch for John Lewis Edinburgh, said: “The past year has shown just how much our customers rely on our Partners for that much needed advice and guidance. This new shop provides an inspirational physical space to come and browse everything and anything. 

“The new look store has been designed as a hub of inspiration, curation, convenience and personal advice.”

It includes a Beauty Studio — a first for the retailer in Scotland, plus Personal Styling services, its largest ever ‘World of Design’, a refreshed Nursery department, and a new large electricals department.

The company added that “to deliver a fun day out shopping for all the family, the newly designed shop will feature interactive and colourful play areas so friends and family alike can relax and enjoy themselves”.

The revamped store has also been localised with features such as two life-size model stags, an Edinburgh Gin pop up shop, an interactive Hornby Flying Scotsman model in its Toys department and “our very own Greyfriars Bobby statue”. 

Looking at the fashion and beauty offer in more detail, the store features Beauty Society — a free, concierge-style service where customers are able to seek “trusted and impartial advice from John Lewis beauty experts across our full offering of powerhouse brands to smaller, emerging labels”.

It’s opening two beauty treatment rooms where luxury aesthetics clinic, the Cavendish Clinic, will offer bespoke treatments such as laser hair removal and cellulite treatments, as well as retailing medical grade skincare such as Dr Levy, SkinCeuticals and ZO. 

It’s the first time its Beauty Tech and Wellness departments will be available in one of its shops and new concepts including ‘Bitesize Beauty’ will be installed housing over 40 brands with travel-sized beauty products. 

The Menswear department also has its own beauty and grooming area that includes traditional skincare brands such as Clarins, Clinique and Elemis, alongside niche brands Murdock and War Paint, as well as best-selling fragrances.

On the fashion front, the Womenswear and Menswear departments have all increased in size, offering more brands such as Sweaty Betty and The Fold for women and Albam Utilities, Barbour White Label and Community Clothing for men. Shoppers can also try its one-on-one personal styling appointments.

The wider St James Quarter will open on 24 June.