John Lewis is mulling plans to scrap its 100% employee-ownership model, according to reports.
The retail giant is said to be considering the move in order to raise fresh investment following an annual loss of £234mln.
Its chair, Sharon White, is in the early stages of exploring a plan to change the retailer’s mutual structure so it can try to raise between £1bn and £2bn of new investment, according to the Sunday Times.
The group would consider selling only a minority stake and its priority would be to maintain majority employee ownership, the newspaper reported.
Late last week, the retail firm said it would eliminate bonuses this year for only the second time since 1953 and have to cut staff numbers in response to a difficult financial year.
John Lewis owns the eponymous department store chain and Waitrose supermarkets.
Its staff-owned structure has been in place for over 73 years.