Today (8 October) sees the opening of the first ever Waterstones bookshop in John Lewis at its flagship Oxford Street store, with the ambition to extend the partnership to more stores in the future.
The opening marks the return of Waterstones to Oxford Street, on which at one time it had four bookshops, with the last of these closing in 2016.
With a selection of nearly 20,000 books, including non-fiction, fiction and children’s books, the bookshop will appeal to casual browsers and avid readers alike and will be a hub for exciting author events on Oxford Street.
The thoughtfully curated events programme will kick off with Alexander Armstrong signing copies of his highly anticipated debut children’s novel Evenfall: The Golden Linnet on Tuesday 8 of October, at 5.30pm.
Waterstones at John Lewis Oxford Street will continue to host high-profile events throughout Autumn, enabling customers to meet some of their favourite authors. Highlights include an event with celebrity chef Rick Stein on 9 November and Dame Jacqueline Wilson signing copies of both her adult fiction and her latest children’s book on 1 December.
The collaboration with Waterstones is in line with John Lewis’ plans to invest in the record number of customers who shop with us and offer them an outstanding in-store experience. The partnership is a result of the rising demand for books at our stores and online, which has grown in recent years.
Katie Papakonstantinou, director of services & hospitality for John Lewis, said: “We’re really excited to open the doors to our very first Waterstones bookshop. It’s a sign of the significant investment we’re making across John Lewis to benefit the record numbers of customers who shop with us.”
Luke Scott, bookshop manager, Waterstones at John Lewis Oxford Street, says: “It has been so exciting to see the bookshop come together amidst the bustle of customers in the John Lewis Flagship store. Our shelves and tables will be filled with great books, waiting to be discovered by readers, and the bookselling team will be happy to help with recommendations and gifting ideas. With the events programme already boasting fantastic guests and signings, our team can’t wait to finally welcome customers into the shop!”
The new Waterstones bookshop will be part of the extensive makeover currently underway at our Oxford Street store. This includes a brand new Beauty Hall, a newly opened rooftop bar and restaurant, and other investments across the store.
This partnership with Waterstone’s is just one of the ways in which we’re continuing to invest in our commitment to customers. With 56 cafes, restaurants, and bars across 36 stores, we’re dedicated to providing an inspirational shopping experience for customers.
