UK department stores turn to ‘shoppertainment’ to draw crowds

The new Westgate Oxford mall, anchored by a John Lewis department store, features a 3D kaleidoscope ride and other Alice in Wonderland-themed attractions. To get with the program, John Lewis’s management is encouraging staff members to “find their character” and are having over 300 employees go through acting, voice and body language training at the nearby Oxford Playhouse theatre.