The retailer recorded a £78 million loss in the last year (Picture: Reuters)

Staff at John Lewis will miss out on their usual annual bonuses after the UK retail group recorded a £78 million loss in the last year.

This is only the second time in its long history since 1953 that employees will not be awarded a financial boost.

The group, which runs the department store chain and Waitrose supermarkets, is currently facing rising costs and unprecedented losses.

John Lewis recorded the multi-million pound loss before exceptional items for the year to January 28.

Shoppers walk past the John Lewis department store on Oxford Street in London (Picture: Reuters)

It represented a slump from a £181 million profit in the previous year, with bosses blaming ‘inflationary pressures’.

In a letter to staff, chairwoman Dame Sharon White said: ‘You’ve been exceptional in what has been another very tough year.

‘Two years of pandemic and now a cost-of-living crisis.

‘Inflation has had a big impact on the partnership and sent our costs soaring – up almost £180 million on last year.