John Lewis aggressive expansion plan

The John Lewis Partnership has announced it intends to embark on a very aggressive expansion plan which will see the business create 35,000 new jobs and double its turnover to £12bn by 2017.

This plan will be a major threat to its rivals, House of Fraser and Debenhams, both of whom have been struggling recently. It will also pose serious questions to the recently resurgent Marks & Spencer, and Sainsbury's, as both retailers chase the same more upmarket consumer.

This 10 year business plan, which was signed off by the Board this week, will see JLP boost its UK workforce to 100,000 by 2017. A significant part of this growth will come from the opening of new John Lewis Department stores and Waitrose Supermarkets. Currently they have a portfolio of 26 Department Stores and 184 Waitrose.