John Lewis is to start stocking dozens of new homeware brands – including pots and pans from Stanley Tucci – as part of a drive to “reinvigorate” its shops and win back middle class customers from Marks & Spencer.
The department store is understood to be preparing to launch 36 new lighting, kitchenware and furniture brands in September, with collections including actor Stanley Tucci’s Greenpan range set to be added.
John Lewis has already introduced 130 new homeware brands over the past 12 months, meaning more than 160 extra manufacturers will be stocked by the autumn.
The department store’s range of homeware, furniture and lighting will be around 15pc bigger than it was last summer following the launches.
Camilla Rowe, who heads up John Lewis’s home division, said the company was “reinvigorating” its ranges, with plans to “significantly grow the business”.
It will be seen as an attempt by the John Lewis Partnership to win customers back from rival Marks & Spencer, which has been touting its success in luring supermarket shoppers away from John Lewis-owned Waitrose.
M&S is best known for its clothing and food but also sells home goods including kitchen equipment and lighting.
John Lewis has traditionally been more dominant in this area, accounting for around 4pc of the home market against 1.5pc for M&S according to industry group GlobalData.
Expansion will be seen as an attempt by John Lewis to exploit this advantage as the retailer seeks to revive its department stores and continue its turnaround.