John Lewis in South Africa

It is clear that John Spedan Lewis had a desire to take his successful business overseas. His thinking behind this plan was to offer the business the security of as ‘many roots as possible’ by expanding the company’s operations and therefore offering Partners a multitude of extra opportunities and possibilities. The Partnership looked at opportunities in Australia, Canada and South Africa but in February 1948, John Lewis Overseas Ltd acquired a shop selling piece goods (dress fabrics).

This was soon followed by two others located in Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth, acquired in 1949. These shops were not as financially successful as the Partnership had hoped, in part caused by a restriction on imports, and the decision was made to close the branches in 1954.

John Lewis in Johannesburg