John Lewis is ‘back on track’, says outgoing chair Sharon White

Return to profit will enable significant investment', including Waitrose refurbs and more convenience stores

The outgoing chair of John Lewis has insisted that the retail group is back on track" and more fit for the future" with an improving financial position enabling it to spend money refurbishing Waitrose supermarkets and opening convenience stores.

Sharon White, who will retire as chair of the John Lewis Partnership in September, said the upmarket Waitrose brand was underrepresented in convenience" as it sought new avenues of growth.