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GOVERNMENT AND REGULATORS

Why?

We aim to meet the spirit as well as the letter of the law. We engage with governments and regulators to raise awareness of the unique nature of our business and to provide a considered view on issues that impact on our Partners, customers and the communities in which we operate.

Key interests

• Information sharing, particularly on our co-ownership model.
• Compliance and shaping future regulation.
• Skills, economic development and employment opportunities.
• Minimising environmental impact.
• Labour standards and worker exploitation.

Examples of engagement

• Government consultations, Select Committee sessions and meetings.
• Regular dialogue with policy makers, for example we have shared the knowledge of our experience of co-ownership in business with opinion formers and influencers, including members of the three main political parties.
• Presence on various business leader forums and policy advisory groups.
• Working with trade associations, eg British Retail Consortium (BRC), Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) and other industry groups.
• Working closely with local authorities during the planning and construction of all our new builds.
• Work closely with regulators such as the Environment Agency and the Health & Safety Executive to ensure legal compliance.
• Public Affairs personnel engage in and coordinate lobbying activity.
• Conferences and speaking engagements.

Outcomes and actions

• We have contributed to consultations across devolved governments on single-use carrier bag use and charging, packaging and green claims guidance.
• Shared our approach to CSR at the BASE conference in March 2010.
• Developing a public affairs strategy for CSR.
• Helped to stimulate debate on employee ownership in the public sector. For example, by the time of the General Election, there was a consensus of support for employee ownership in all three election manifestos.
• Commissioned a Demos research paper, Reinventing the Firm; commissioned research from the Cass Business School on the performance of employee-owned firms; and hosting, with the Employee Ownership Association, a symposium to launch the research and generate discussion.


MEDIA

Why?

We engage with the media to ensure that the public perception of us is as closely aligned to reality as possible. It is our aim to enhance and protect our brands.

Key interests

• Our progress on the CSR agenda.
• Comparisons against competitors and peers.

Examples of engagement

• Proactive media relations including journalist briefings.
• Responses to media requests for information and interviews.
• Conferences and speaking engagements.

Outcomes and actions

• Promoted understanding of the Partnership ownership model in the media.
• Coverage of all programmes in local and national media.
• In a survey of all business, retail and consumer affairs journalists, John Lewis achieved the highest score for corporate responsibility and this score was also an increase on the previous year.


LOCAL COMMUNITIES

Why?

We actively consult with local communities to understand and manage the social, economic and environmental impact of our operations. We also commit to make a positive difference to the communities where we do business.

Key interests

• Acceptability of development/building projects.
• Support for their community needs.

Examples of engagement

• Waitrose Community Matters scheme and John Lewis Community Liaison Coordinators.
• Planning application processes and consultations.
• Community strategy review will provide an opportunity to gauge opinion from community commentators and some of our key community partners.

Outcomes and actions

• The result of gauging opinion will feed into our community strategy review.
• Waitrose set up a website detailing the plans for its redevelopment of its Bracknell head office site, sharing details of the changes occurring, its commitments to minimising environmental and community impacts, as well as providing a means of contacting Waitrose.