Don’t ditch it, fix it: John Lewis rolls out repair service to all stores

Following the hugely successful five-store trial launched in July 2024 customers will be able to take advantage of the repairs and alterations service now offered across all John Lewis shops. The service will continue to work in partnership with Johnsons, a Timpson Group company.

From 9 April customers will be able to drop off their much loved items to be cleaned, repaired or altered at their local John Lewis shop, where Johnsons’ seamless service will collect, repair and return the product to the shop as good as new. Alongside drycleaning and handbag restoration, the service also includes services to homeware items such as duvets, bedding, curtains and rug cleaning.

Katie Papakonstantinou, director of services and hospitality at John Lewis, said: “We’re so excited to bring this service to all John Lewis stores. John Lewis has always been committed to providing a brilliant retail experience for customers, and repair adds another dimension to that. The great thing about repair is it works for the old and the new. Whether you need something tailored to fit you better or want to give your mum’s old handbag a new life, we’ve made it easy to restore treasured products.” Marija Rompani, director of ethics and sustainability, John Lewis Partnership, adds: “We’re still learning about which circular economy models work so it’s great when a trial delivers positive results and shows us how we can make it effective at scale. Repair is a crucial part of the circular economy and mirrors our commitment to designing items with quality and longevity in mind, as part of our circular strategy.”

The most popular services from the trial were minor rip and seam repairs, indicating customers looking to fix wear and tear of their beloved everyday items, as well as trouser alterations for those looking for a better fit. One major success was the restoration of a vintage Chanel bag to near new condition within days. John Lewis is also seeing a trend of increasing interest in at-home repairs, with haberdashery accessories up 36 per cent year on year and searches for John Lewis sewing machines up 50 per cent year on year.

A study by WRAP has revealed that over four in five clothing repairs ‘displace’ new purchases. According to WRAP, repair can displace the purchase of a brand-new item by increasing the useful lifetime of the current item, if the alternative was to replace it by buying new.