John Pound and Co Ltd: Acquisition, 1944

Context

In the early hours of  18th September 1940, John Lewis Oxford Street was hit by incendiaries. The fire damage was catastrophic. Fortunately, sufficient plans had been cultivated for the continuation of the company in such events. The acquisition of the Selfridges Provincial Stores in 1940 enabled John Lewis to retain their presence. The Oxford Street shop would have to be rebuilt after the war.

Securing a future on Oxford Street

After an unsuccessful attempt to purchase John Pound and Company Limited in 1935, the John Lewis Partnership finally acquired it in the autumn of 1944. The Tottenham Court Road and Brompton Road branches were not retained by the Partnership and were sold. The Oxford Street branch of the company was of most relevance, for it immediately adjoined John Lewis. Although it had also suffered damage and would also have to be rebuilt after the war, the assimilation of this extra premises ensured that John Lewis Oxford Street would return after the war bigger and stronger. The hugely compressed selling space in John Lewis Oxford Street experienced a respite as several departments including handbag, trunk, umbrella and silverware were all moved to the old John Pound premises.