John Lewis expands Korean presence

British department store chain John Lewis is expanding its international footprint with a new store in South Korea.

John Lewis will open its fifth store in South Korea this month, through partnership with the Shinsegae department store chain, where it has four stores across Seoul.

The South Korean expansion follows its confirmation to take the brand into Heathrow’s Terminal 2 in June 2014, with the goal of expanding awareness amongst international travellers.

It is also eyeing further overseas expansion with eyes on Hong Kong and Singapore in the next few years.

Director of commercial operations Sean Allam said the good response from Korean customers gave it confidence to go into similar markets.

He said the company wants to start building and developing the John Lewis brand outside the UK as the domestic market will probably not sustain its growth ambitions.

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