Senior management at John Lewis have started discussions on which department stores should keep their doors closed permanently once the coronavirus lockdown ends.
Sources close to the employee-owned retailer said it was "highly unlikely" that all 50 sites would reopen, as the company battles for its future.
Dame Sharon White, the new chairman of the John Lewis Partnership (JLP) and her team are set to address analysts in the City on Wednesday, updating them on the company's performance during the past week.