Retailer will provide customers with free wireless internet access in its stores across the UK and announces plans to develop a new iPhone app.
John Lewis will be the first UK department store to offer the service, with access from BT Openzone allowing shoppers to connect to the internet using an wireless-enabled PC, tablet or smartphone. As well as access to the internet and johnlewis.com, customers will also be able to access the John Lewis mobile site, including My John Lewis and the wish list, which will automatically sync with a shopper's home PC and mobile in-store.

John Lewis has also announced that it is developing an app for the iphone, providing access to the online product assortment, as well as customer reviews and video.

John Lewis IT director Paul Corby said: "This is a major development in John Lewis' vision for multi-channel retail. We have made great progress with online which is now growing at between 25% and 30% compared to last year and amounts to circa 20% of our revenue. We know our customers are mobile and want to be connected anywhere, anytime and any place."

John Lewis head of multi-channel Simon Russell added: "We recognise that mobile phones have become a crucial part of people's shopping habits. The roll-out of WiFi in our shops is a big step forward in helping customers to have all of the information they need at their fingertips to make an informed purchase.'