Department store chain John Lewis has confirmed that staff will not receive a bonus for the first time since 1953 after it was hit by lockdown store closures.

The retailer - which also owns Waitrose - posted a huge £635m pre-tax loss for the six months to 25 July after higher costs offset a 1% rise in sales.

READ AGAIN: John Lewis cuts staff bonus 

John Lewis hired hundreds of staff when it open the Westgate Centre's anchor store in 2017.

Oxford Mail:

John Lewis staff at Westgate

Its chairwoman Dame Sharon White told staff on Thursday the announcement "will come as a blow", accoridng to the BBC.

Even before Covid-19 hit, the chain had warned it might not pay the usual staff bonus as competition ate into profits.

The group's first-half loss was £635m once exceptional items were taken into account, including a £470m write-down in the value of its stores.

Dame Sharon White said: "I know this will come as a blow to partners who have worked so hard this year. The decision in no way detracts from the commitment and dedication that you have shown."

The retailer said store closures during lockdown and customers buying less profitable items, such as toilet paper or laptops, had hit trade.