John Lewis 'is set to shut eight of its 42 remaining department stores' | Daily Mail Online

> John Lewis could close eight more of its remaining branches, with larger older shops most likely to close for good, it is claimed. The department store could shut a fifth of its 42 remaining stores, as negotiations with landlords continue and hundreds of jobs are put at risk, The Sunday Times reports.

> Any announcement of closures is expected to take place alongside the company's annual results on March 11. John Lewis Partnership's chairwoman Dame Sharon White has reportedly put forward eight shops for closure in an effort to further cut costs after the company suffered a £635m loss last September, The Sunday Times reports.

> The news follows the closure of eight John Lewis stores, including John Lewis' flagship Birmingham store, and the loss of 1,300 jobs in July last year - which was followed by a further 1,500 jobs axed from head office in November.