DEPARTMENT store chain John Lewis has recruited former eBay UK boss Mark Lewis to head its online offering in a new role reflecting the growing importance of its website.
He will join the group’s board on 4 March, reporting directly to managing director Andy Street.
Employee-owned John Lewis invested heavily in its website at the start of last year, driving a 40 per cent jump in online sales by linking it to its store network with a “click and collect” service.
Lewis, who spent six years at eBay in roles including UK managing director and European marketplaces director, is familiar with the “clicks and bricks” approach.
He joins John Lewis from his latest role as chief executive of Collect+, a courier service which persuaded thousands of corner shops to become collection points for online retailers such as Asos and Amazon.
He will lead the online team and assume responsibility for profitability and development of the online channel. He will also head the “omni-channel” development team, working with boardroom colleagues.
He said: “In the rapidly changing retail environment, I believe the John Lewis proposition and partnership model provide genuine and enduring advantages and I look forward to playing a part in writing the next chapter.”