John Lewis enables customers to collect orders from local corner shops

Department store John Lewis may expand its click and collect offering, to allow collection of customers orders from a chain of corner shops.

The retailer currently offers a "click-and-collect" service through its sister chain Waitrose, allowing customers to order items from John Lewis but pick it up in a Waitrose store, if they do not want to wait at home for a delivery or if their nearest department store is too far away.

Andy Street, the managing director at John Lewis, said "We are forging partnerships with others" and is in talks with various unnamed parties about extending the click-and-collect service, making shopping for customers more convenient.

"We believe that national coverage for an online retailer in 2020 is no more than about 60 or 70 shops," he said. "The days for needing 200 to cover the UK are clearly history."

Other retailers have already moved into offering click and collect by using other retail partners. Online fashion giant Asos offers customers the opportunity to collect their clothes from local convenience stores such Londis, Spa or Costcutter, through the Collect+ service. Many of which have long opening hours.