Right this moment (8 October) sees the opening of the primary ever Waterstones bookshop in John Lewis at its flagship Oxford Road retailer, with the ambition to increase the partnership to extra shops sooner or later.
The opening marks the return of Waterstones to Oxford Road, on which at one time it had 4 bookshops, with the final of those closing in 2016.
With a number of almost 20,000 books, together with non-fiction, fiction and kids’s books, the bookshop will enchantment to informal browsers and avid readers alike and will likely be a hub for thrilling creator occasions on Oxford Road.
The thoughtfully curated occasions programme will kick off with Alexander Armstrong signing copies of his extremely anticipated debut kids’s novel Evenfall: The Golden Linnet on Tuesday 8 of October, at 5.30pm.
Waterstones at John Lewis Oxford Road will proceed to host high-profile occasions all through Autumn, enabling prospects to satisfy a few of their favorite authors. Highlights embody an occasion with superstar chef Rick Stein on 9 November and Dame Jacqueline Wilson signing copies of each her grownup fiction and her newest kids’s ebook on 1 December.
The collaboration with Waterstones is in step with John Lewis’ plans to put money into the document variety of prospects who store with us and provide them an excellent in-store expertise. The partnership is a results of the rising demand for books at our shops and on-line, which has grown in recent times.
Katie Papakonstantinou, director of companies & hospitality for John Lewis, mentioned: “We’re actually excited to open the doorways to our very first Waterstones bookshop. It’s an indication of the numerous funding we’re making throughout John Lewis to learn the document numbers of shoppers who store with us.”
Luke Scott, bookshop supervisor, Waterstones at John Lewis Oxford Road, says: “It has been so thrilling to see the bookshop come collectively amidst the bustle of shoppers within the John Lewis Flagship retailer. Our cabinets and tables will likely be full of nice books, ready to be found by readers, and the bookselling crew will likely be completely satisfied to assist with suggestions and gifting concepts. With the occasions programme already boasting unbelievable friends and signings, our crew can’t wait to lastly welcome prospects into the store!”
The brand new Waterstones bookshop will likely be a part of the in depth makeover presently underway at our Oxford Road retailer. This features a model new Magnificence Corridor, a newly opened rooftop bar and restaurant, and different investments throughout the shop.
This partnership with Waterstone’s is simply one of many methods during which we’re persevering with to put money into our dedication to prospects. With 56 cafes, eating places, and bars throughout 36 shops, we’re devoted to offering an inspirational purchasing expertise for purchasers.