What: John Lewis introduces a digital supplier platform, streamlining new brand launches and reinforcing its premium retail strategy.

Why it is important: Accelerating brand onboarding through digital transformation strengthens John Lewis’s competitive edge and sets a benchmark for multi-brand retail.

John Lewis’s launch of a digital supplier platform marks a strategic advancement in its efforts to modernize and reinforce its premium retail positioning. By streamlining the onboarding process for new brands, the retailer is able to accelerate product launches and respond more swiftly to evolving consumer preferences. This move is integral to John Lewis’s broader transformation, which includes significant investments in both digital and physical infrastructure, as well as the expansion of its premium fashion assortment through exclusive collaborations and the addition of 100 new brands. The platform, developed in partnership with Mirakl and Russell & Bromley, not only enhances supplier collaboration but also exemplifies the retailer’s commitment to innovation and agility. Leadership changes, such as the appointment of Dom McBrien as chief digital and omnichannel officer and the strategic direction set by fashion director Rachel Morgans, further support this customer-centric approach. Collectively, these initiatives position John Lewis at the forefront of multi-brand retail, setting new standards for speed to market and supplier engagement.

IADS Notes: The launch of John Lewis’s supplier brands platform in October 2025 (Fashion United) is a direct extension of its transformation strategy, which included the addition of 100 premium brands and exclusive collaborations in August 2025 (Retail Gazette). Under Peter Ruis’s leadership, the retailer has focused on repositioning itself in the premium sector and investing in innovation, as detailed in February 2025 (Drapers). The appointment of Dom McBrien as chief digital and omnichannel officer in August 2025 (The Retail Bulletin) and the strategic leadership of Rachel Morgans in June 2025 (Drapers) further underscore John Lewis’s commitment to digital transformation, omnichannel growth, and customer-centric brand partnerships.

John Lewis sets up supplier brands platform to accelerate new launches

What: Galeries Lafayette’s India entry marks a strategic move to capture growth in one of the world’s fastest-growing luxury markets.

Why it is important: Galeries Lafayette’s move reflects the rapid transformation of India’s luxury market and the need for brands to adapt to new consumer dynamics.

Galeries Lafayette’s decision to enter the Indian market is a defining moment in the globalization of luxury retail, demonstrating the retailer’s commitment to international expansion and its recognition of India’s burgeoning luxury sector. Supported by a €400 million investment plan, the French department store is modernizing its operations and targeting high-growth regions, with India at the forefront of its strategy. This move is timely, as India’s luxury market is experiencing a remarkable transformation, characterized by a surge in affluent consumers and a shift toward integrated, culturally resonant retail experiences. The influx of international luxury brands into India, nearly doubling in the past year, highlights the country’s emergence as a global luxury hub and underscores the strategic importance of adapting retail formats to local preferences. Galeries Lafayette’s entry not only positions it to benefit from India’s rapid consumer growth but also sets a benchmark for other European department stores and luxury retailers seeking to remain relevant and competitive in evolving global markets.

IADS Notes: Galeries Lafayette’s India entry is anchored by its €400 million investment plan announced in November 2024 (Challenges), which prioritizes both domestic modernization and international expansion. The retailer’s double-digit growth in 2025, driven by luxury brand expansion and tourism (Fashion Network, July 2025), validates this strategy. India’s luxury market transformation, with a surge in affluent consumers and integrated retail models (Vogue Business, March 2025), has attracted a record number of international brands (India Economic Times, February 2025). This shift mirrors the broader industry trend of luxury brands pivoting from China to India to capture new growth (ET Retail, December 2024).

French luxe retailer Galeries Lafayette set for India entry

What: John Lewis partners with Russell & Bromley and Mirakl to introduce a direct-shipping supplier platform, strengthening its premium brand strategy.

Why it is important: This move reflects John Lewis’s commitment to digital innovation and premium positioning, building on recent leadership and assortment strategies.

John Lewis has unveiled a new supplier platform, developed in partnership with Mirakl and launched alongside luxury footwear brand Russell & Bromley, to accelerate the onboarding of premium brands and enhance its digital agility. This initiative is designed to make the retailer more responsive to consumer demand by streamlining the listing and sales process for new brands, particularly in the premium segment. The platform’s direct-shipping model reduces time to market and supports John Lewis’s broader ambition to elevate its fashion offering, as articulated by fashion director Rachel Morgans. The move comes amid a significant transformation at John Lewis, including the addition of 100 new brands, the launch of its own premium menswear label, and a renewed focus on omnichannel capabilities such as “deliver from store.” Executive director Peter Ruis, who returned to lead the company’s transformation, has emphasised the momentum and excitement within the fashion division, aiming to double its business in this area. These efforts collectively underscore John Lewis’s strategy to reposition itself as a leader in premium retail through technological innovation, curated brand partnerships, and enhanced customer experience.

IADS Notes: John Lewis’s introduction of this supplier platform directly extends its transformation strategy, highlighted by the addition of 100 premium brands and exclusive collaborations in August 2025 (Retail Gazette). Under Peter Ruis’s leadership, the retailer has focused on doubling fashion revenue and repositioning itself in the UK’s premium sector, as seen in July 2025 (Drapers). The launch of own-brand premium collections and the appointment of Dom McBrien as chief digital and omnichannel officer in August 2025 (The Retail Bulletin), along with rapid delivery initiatives in July 2025 (Retail Week), all demonstrate a commitment to agility, innovation, and customer-centric growth.

John Lewis introduces new supplier platform as it ups focus on premium brands