John Lewis has unveiled a significant nationwide transformation of its in-store dining facilities through a strategic partnership with the acclaimed café brand Benugo. This major initiative will see 32 of the retailer's restaurants, including all existing Place to Eat locations, completely reimagined to offer customers a substantially improved hospitality experience.
A Collaborative Evolution in Retail Hospitality
The partnership represents the culmination of a rigorous two-year competitive selection process and builds upon over a decade of successful collaboration between the two brands. Benugo has previously operated cafés within ten John Lewis branches, establishing a proven track record that secured this expanded role.
Elevating Food Quality and Sourcing Standards
Ben Warner, founder of Benugo, expressed enthusiasm about the expanded partnership, stating: "We're incredibly proud of our longstanding partnership with John Lewis, and we're excited to be growing it to create an exciting new brand." He emphasised the company's commitment to fresh, quality ingredients thoughtfully sourced from local suppliers, ensuring that food excellence remains at the heart of the new offering.
Investing in People and Service Excellence
Warner further highlighted the human element of the transformation: "What matters just as much to us is the people. As we expand our work together, we'll be working closely with the partners, sharing our focus on training and experience so the teams feel supported and confident to deliver the warm, welcoming hospitality that both Benugo and John Lewis are known for." This focus on staff development aims to ensure consistently high service standards across all locations.
Customer-Centric Store Transformation
Katie Papakonstantinou, director of services and hospitality for John Lewis, confirmed that customers stand to benefit significantly from this initiative. She explained: "Our customers will benefit from a fresh and exciting John Lewis hospitality experience as we reimagine how we use the space within our stores."
A New Era for In-Store Dining
Papakonstantinou added: "Our plans look amazing, and our restaurants and cafés will offer delicious food and drinks combined with the personal service that our customers expect and deserve. We're excited to share even more details ahead of the first of the new spaces opening later this year." The first transformed locations are scheduled to open by summer 2026, marking the beginning of a phased rollout across the country.
This strategic move represents John Lewis's continued commitment to enhancing the physical retail experience, recognising that modern department stores must offer more than just shopping. By partnering with an established foodservice expert, the retailer aims to create destination dining experiences that complement its retail offerings and encourage longer customer visits.
