Former John Lewis exec joins Sainsbury's to lead fashion and interiors

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
May 3, 2022

With its Tu Clothing label now being a £1 billion business, it’s no surprise that supermarkets giant Sainsbury’s is beefing up the executive team at the top of its non-foods business. 

And now former John Lewis fashion buying director Christine Kasoulis has joined it to head its fashion, furniture and home business.

A veteran of John Lewis where she worked for over 30 years, she’ll now once again work with Paula Nickolds, the former John Lewis chief who joined last year as General Merchandise and Clothing Commercial Director and as a board member.

The news was first reported by Retail Week.

Kasoulis left John Lewis after 32 years when it restructured in 2021 and Nickolds said she was “uniquely well qualified” for the role at Sainsbury’s.

The news comes after Sainsbury’s reported strong sales growth for its Tu Clothing line that now generates more than £1 billion in revenue annually. The company also said it’s selling more of the label’s products at full price — 89% compared to 65% two years ago.

Although known mainly as a supermarket, Sainsbury’s has giant non-food operations, including its Argos general merchandise offer, its Habitat furniture and homewares business, and its own-brand non-foods.