This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-37908223
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| John Lewis has 'no plans' to close the haberdashery department | John Lewis has 'no plans' to close the haberdashery department |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Rumours that High Street stalwart John Lewis would be ditching its haberdashery department in favour of bikini waxes have prompted an online backlash from customers and crafters. As the department store confirms the beloved buttons will, in fact, be safe, we look at the enduring appeal of the haberdashery. | Rumours that High Street stalwart John Lewis would be ditching its haberdashery department in favour of bikini waxes have prompted an online backlash from customers and crafters. As the department store confirms the beloved buttons will, in fact, be safe, we look at the enduring appeal of the haberdashery. |
| The rumours of the haberdashery's demise began after it was reported that John Lewis' new managing director, Paula Nickolds, would be cutting back the department. | The rumours of the haberdashery's demise began after it was reported that John Lewis' new managing director, Paula Nickolds, would be cutting back the department. |
| Ms Nickolds, who takes up her position in January as the store's first female boss, began her career in the store's haberdashery section. | Ms Nickolds, who takes up her position in January as the store's first female boss, began her career in the store's haberdashery section. |
| But in an interview with the Sunday Times she reportedly said it would be downgraded as part of a modernisation process to offer new services such as holidays, bikini waxes and prosecco bars. | But in an interview with the Sunday Times she reportedly said it would be downgraded as part of a modernisation process to offer new services such as holidays, bikini waxes and prosecco bars. |
| The internet was quick to react, and fearing their department store was unravelling before their eyes, customers took to social media to lament the loss of sewing supplies. | The internet was quick to react, and fearing their department store was unravelling before their eyes, customers took to social media to lament the loss of sewing supplies. |
| And an online petition soon surfaced to save the "British institution" of the haberdashery. | And an online petition soon surfaced to save the "British institution" of the haberdashery. |
| But in a statement soon after, John Lewis said: "Further to recent speculation, we would like to confirm that we have no plans to close or downgrade our haberdashery departments. Haberdashery is woven into the fabric of our business and there are no plans to unstitch it." | But in a statement soon after, John Lewis said: "Further to recent speculation, we would like to confirm that we have no plans to close or downgrade our haberdashery departments. Haberdashery is woven into the fabric of our business and there are no plans to unstitch it." |
| 'Revival' | 'Revival' |
| So it seems the British public aren't shunning ribbons for wax strips after all. | So it seems the British public aren't shunning ribbons for wax strips after all. |
| In fact the UK's craft market is booming. We've become a nation of crafters, where stitching vloggers attract millions of YouTube views and amateur sewers can be prime time television on the BBC. | In fact the UK's craft market is booming. We've become a nation of crafters, where stitching vloggers attract millions of YouTube views and amateur sewers can be prime time television on the BBC. |
| Industry magazine Craft Business reported there to be more than 18 million women in the UK doing some kind of craft. | |
| In 2014, the Craft Council estimated the value of craft skills to the British economy at £3.4bn each year. | In 2014, the Craft Council estimated the value of craft skills to the British economy at £3.4bn each year. |
| Hobbycraft - the UK's only multiple arts and crafts retailer - reported a boost in sales and profits in 2015, including an 11% rise in the sales of sewing machines. | Hobbycraft - the UK's only multiple arts and crafts retailer - reported a boost in sales and profits in 2015, including an 11% rise in the sales of sewing machines. |
| Online retailer Sewandso.co.uk sell 63,000 different products, including a huge range of haberdashery accessories from bobbins to bra straps. They say there has been a "revival" in the market, with 20% of all their sales coming from haberdashery. | Online retailer Sewandso.co.uk sell 63,000 different products, including a huge range of haberdashery accessories from bobbins to bra straps. They say there has been a "revival" in the market, with 20% of all their sales coming from haberdashery. |
| Next big thing | Next big thing |
| James Woollam, managing director, said: "Craft has been having a long term revival for a good few years now. As a business, we've enjoyed a period of sustained growth. | James Woollam, managing director, said: "Craft has been having a long term revival for a good few years now. As a business, we've enjoyed a period of sustained growth. |
| "More people are doing crafts, it's part of the fabric of our communities." | "More people are doing crafts, it's part of the fabric of our communities." |
| The site's content director, Ame Burso, says part of this rise is down to social media channels. | The site's content director, Ame Burso, says part of this rise is down to social media channels. |
| She said: "Craft is so much more mainstream now. Things like Pinterest and Youtube have helped that." | She said: "Craft is so much more mainstream now. Things like Pinterest and Youtube have helped that." |
| Ame added that while 2015 was the year for crochet, next year will be all about Macramé. | Ame added that while 2015 was the year for crochet, next year will be all about Macramé. |
| Hint - you may get yourself tied up in knots. | Hint - you may get yourself tied up in knots. |