John Lewis Ladies Shoes Problem

Tommo781

I am a regular customer of John Lewis, and buy a lot of clothing and shoes there. I primarily use their Norwich store, which is in the process of being totally revamped.

I went in yesterday to find the ladies shoe department had moved to a different place, and very swish it looks too! I saw some shoes I really liked, made by Bertie, and asked the assistant for them in a size 41. I was amazed to be told that the new policy for the vast majority of ladies shoes was only to stock them in the store up to a size 40, and if a larger size is required the customer should order on line!! Apparently this is also the policy for small sizes too, and the assistant said that she has received several complaints which she has fed back - but to no avail.

I could not believe it. John Lewis are discriminating against those women who have small or large feet. I have never had any trouble buying size 41 there before, and it is a fact that the nation's feet are getting bigger.

Has anyone else encountered this problem?

arcon5

Tommo781 wrote: »

I am a regular customer of John Lewis, and buy a lot of clothing and shoes there. I primarily use their Norwich store, which is in the process of being totally revamped.

I went in yesterday to find the ladies shoe department had moved to a different place, and very swish it looks too! I saw some shoes I really liked, made by Bertie, and asked the assistant for them in a size 41. I was amazed to be told that the new policy for the vast majority of ladies shoes was only to stock them in the store up to a size 40, and if a larger size is required the customer should order on line!! Apparently this is also the policy for small sizes too, and the assistant said that she has received several complaints which she has fed back - but to no avail.

I could not believe it. John Lewis are discriminating against those women who have small or large feet. I have never had any trouble buying size 41 there before, and it is a fact that the nation's feet are getting bigger.

Has anyone else encountered this problem?

:wall: :wall:

They're also discriminating against the poor for selling top end products, against people without cars or means of transportation who don't live near the store ect ect.

I imagine the decision was taken because these sizes are not very profitable for them so they sell the more common sizes only instore. Every square meter in stores like Debenhams costs a fortune so some things are just not worth it.
The average womans foot size is a size five, where 41 is a size 7.5. It's all about supply and demand, not about causing prejudice for people with larger/smaller feet

fluffnutter

Yeah, my sister-in-law found this when she was looking for slippers in JL. TBH, I think it's a little inflexible; women's feet are getting bigger apparently so I should imagine the number of people with size 41 and above is not that small (and increasing).

John Lewis is probably fairly good at listening to customer complaints - if enough women find this a problem, you may find that they start stocking the larger sizes in store again. TBH, it's a comment on the rise in interweb shopping more than it is about shoe sizes. Problem is, shoes are a right pain to buy over the net. Even if you've ordered the right size there's still a lot of variation in fit and comfort and chances are you'll be sending them back.

Start a facebook page. John Lewis - Bring back size 41 and above!

It's not discrimination though - they can sell what they like. Although I personally don't think this is one of their better decisions.

Tommo781

fluffnutter wrote: »

Yeah, my sister-in-law found this when she was looking for slippers in JL. TBH, I think it's a little inflexible; women's feet are getting bigger apparently so I should imagine the number of people with size 41 and above is not that small (and increasing).

is probably fairly good at listening to customer complaints - if enough women find this a problem, you may find that they start stocking the larger sizes in store again. TBH, it's a comment on the rise in interweb shopping more than it is about shoe sizes.

Start a facebook page. John Lewis - Bring back size 41 and above!

It's not discrimination though - they can sell what they like. Although I personally don't think this is one of their better decisions.

Thanks for that. TBH, I meant the discrimination bit to be tongue in cheek, but it didn't read that way. I don't use Facebook, although your idea is a good one. But I have written to JL to ask them why they have taken this step.

And your comments about buying shoes online are exactly right - and precisely the reasons why I won't buy shoes online.

You are right, size 41 is no longer a large size. And from the assistants comments, I am far from alone in complaining about the new policy, so there is a demand for them to stock larger than 40 as they did before.

fluffnutter

I went to John Lewis yesterday (Southampton) and they too have had a shufty round. It all looks very glam and high-end, but, TBH, there's hardly anything for sale! (at least not in the menswear department - not that I'm a man; I was with my friend). I think they've gone for an 'exclusive' look in store, whilst leaving the bulk of their range online. Bit of a pain if you like browsing. But it's the rise of interweb shopping innit? Price you pay for convenience I guess.

Lirin

It isn't discrimination, but is annoying! I'd be size 43, a lot of shops don't stock that!

vyle

Tommo781 wrote: »

I am a regular customer of John Lewis, and buy a lot of clothing and shoes there. I primarily use their Norwich store, which is in the process of being totally revamped.

I went in yesterday to find the ladies shoe department had moved to a different place, and very swish it looks too! I saw some shoes I really liked, made by Bertie, and asked the assistant for them in a size 41. I was amazed to be told that the new policy for the vast majority of ladies shoes was only to stock them in the store up to a size 40, and if a larger size is required the customer should order on line!! Apparently this is also the policy for small sizes too, and the assistant said that she has received several complaints which she has fed back - but to no avail.

I could not believe it. John Lewis are discriminating against those women who have small or large feet. I have never had any trouble buying size 41 there before, and it is a fact that the nation's feet are getting bigger.

Has anyone else encountered this problem?

Why not buy online, do click and collect (or you could have got them to do that in store for you) and when you collect it, try it on, if it doesnt fit, return it straight away in the department?

It's not discrimination, though. Why would a shop buy in loads of a poor selling item, and then distribute them to all their branches? It's far cheaper and more sensible (logistically) to keep them in one central location and send them off to whoever needs them on a sale by sale basis.

Tommo781

vyle wrote: »

Why not buy online, do click and collect (or you could have got them to do that in store for you) and when you collect it, try it on, if it doesnt fit, return it straight away in the department?

It's not discrimination, though. Why would a buy in loads of a poor selling item, and then distribute them to all their branches? It's far cheaper and more sensible (logistically) to keep them in one central location and send them off to whoever needs them on a sale by sale basis.

I understand what you are saying, but it such a hassle to do that. It means:-

either, when I see a pair in the store I like when I didn't go out looking for shoes, I would have to return to the store when they came arrived in my size. I live 20 miles away, it isn't just around the corner. All with no guarantee they will even fit.

or, when I know I want shoes, ordering some I haven't seen other than a picture online (maybe more than one pair to get a choice) paying for them on line, going to the store, and then probably going through the hassle of getting a refund.

Your point about stock is partly correct, but not wholly. The assistant told me that there is always a demand in the store for size 41 and above, and they were never lumbered with excess stock. In fact they are getting fed up with the number of complaints they are getting.

Also, if "It's far cheaper and more sensible (logistically) to keep them in one central location and send them off to whoever needs them on a sale by sale basis", why have shops at all? I think we are a long way off total online ordering yet.

I have come to the conclusion that the easier way is to shop elsewhere, which I find a real shame as I have been a loyal John Lewis customer for years.

Tommo781

bobajob_1966 wrote: »

So do your research before you shop - you can order up until 7pm for next day store collection - not difficult, is it?

No need to be so rude or condescending! It really isn't necessary to talk down to people on a forum. :mad:

In any case, you have missed the whole point. There was no research to do. I had no idea I would see shoes I would like, as I wasn't shopping for shoes. Like most people, much of my wardrobe is bought simply by seeing something I like in a shop. No-one can research that sort of shopping!!!!!!