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ABOUT US

The John Lewis Partnership is the UK’s largest and longest-lasting employee-owned business. Between them, our 70,000 permanent Partners share in the benefits and profits of a business with a turnover of £7.4 billion in 2009.

What makes us different

As a responsible retailer, co-owned by our Partners, we believe that the long-term future of the John Lewis Partnership is best served by respecting the interests of all our stakeholders: Partners, customers, suppliers and the wider community.

The Partnership is commercial and competitive, but our business model gives us three significant advantages. It allows us to:

• take a long-term view. We can build lasting, mutually beneficial relationships with suppliers, customers and neighbours because we don’t have to deliver short-term returns for shareholders.
• maximise the value of co-ownership. Partners have worthwhile, secure and fulfilling employment, which generates loyalty, pride, job satisfaction, knowledge and empowerment. We recognise their role as co-owners and advocates of the Partnership, and work hard to harness their shared passion for the way we do things as a business.
• act in the interests of society. As a long-term employer and neighbour, we aim to act with integrity and courtesy, behave as a good corporate citizen and contribute to the communities where we operate.

Our CSR communications

We know we don’t have all the answers, but we remain committed to telling all those with an interest in our corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance how we are doing against the commitments we have set ourselves and the external standards we aspire to. We aim to be clear about our priorities and aspirations, open and balanced about our position and our beliefs, and honest about the challenges we face.


MORE INFORMATION

On www.johnlewispartnership.co.uk:
About us
Our Constitution
Working for us

In the first phase of a partnership trial with Boots, Waitrose’s Food for Now lunchtime range went on sale in four Boots stores, and three others began selling a larger range of Waitrose lunchtime and convenience food. In return, a small number of Waitrose shops now sell Boots health and beauty products and toiletries, and in June, two acquired a Boots pharmacy.

(Photo captioned: Waitrose opened its second shop in Dubai in 2009, and plans to open one in Bahrain in 2010.)

Arrangements established with Shell and Welcome Break in 2009 (see 2009 CSR report page 4) continue, with the latter having expanded to include 12 locations.


JOHN LEWIS

• 28 department stores
• John Lewis at home store, Poole
• John Lewis Home outlet, Swindon
• johnlewis.com


WAITROSE

• 231 supermarkets
• Online shopping services all available via waitrose.com including groceries, flowers, HomeDirect, WaitroseWineDirect and Entertaining


GREENBEE

• Our direct services company
• Products include insurance; phone and broadband; travel; all available via greenbee.com


LECKFORD ESTATE

• Our 4,000-acre estate in Hampshire includes:
• Leckford farm (milk, poultry, fruit and mushrooms for Waitrose)
• Longstock plant nursery
• Longstock Park water garden


HERBERT PARKINSON

• Our manufacturing business in Lancashire
• Produces own-brand furnishings, fabrics and curtains for John Lewis


Outside scope of report

Partnerships in the UK: Welcome Break, Boots, Shell

Middle East partnership: Fine Fare Food