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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 group said it posted a £55m loss for the six months to 25 July after higher costs offset a 1% increase in sales.
Its chairwoman told staff on Thursday the announcement "will come as a blow".
Even before Covid-19 hit, the chain had warned it might not pay the usual staff bonus as competition ate into profits.
The last time that the chain, which operates as a partnership, decided not to pay a bonus to its staff was in the aftermath of World War One.
Chairwoman Dame Sharon White said: "We came through then to be even stronger and we will do so again."
