John Lewis suffers first half loss of £99m and warns of risk to staff bonuses

Outlook uniquely uncertain', says Partnership as it announces cost of living support for staff

The John Lewis Partnership has warned its annual staff bonus is at risk this year after it slumped to a first half loss of 99m and said the outlook in the run-up to Christmas was uniquely uncertain".

The group, which is staff-owned and includes the Waitrose supermarket chain, blamed soaring inflation for the loss in the 26 weeks to 30 July, which compared with a 29m loss before tax in the same period last year.