John Lewis is one of the most well-known and respected retail brands in the United Kingdom, with a history dating back over 150 years. The company was founded by John Lewis himself in 1864, and has since become a household name thanks to its commitment to quality, service, and customer satisfaction.
With a range of products spanning fashion, home goods, electronics, and more, John Lewis has established itself as a go-to destination for shoppers in the UK and beyond. But there’s much more to this iconic brand than just its products. Here are 15 fascinating facts about John Lewis that reveal the brand’s enduring influence and success:
The first John Lewis store opened in London’s Oxford Street in 1864.
1 It was originally called “Lewis’s”, and was founded by John Lewis himself. At the time, the store sold a range of goods, including clothing, household items, and haberdashery.
The store quickly gained a reputation for quality and reliability, and expanded its offerings to include furniture, carpets, and other home goods. By the early 20th century, Lewis’s had become one of the largest and most respected retailers in the UK.
In the 1920s, John Lewis’s son, John Spedan Lewis, took over the business and began to implement his vision for a more democratic and employee-focused company. He introduced the concept of the “partnership”, in which employees would be co-owners of the business and share in its profits.
Today, the Oxford Street store remains a flagship location for John Lewis, and is one of the largest department stores in Europe. It has undergone numerous renovations and expansions over the years, and continues to be a popular destination for shoppers in London and beyond.
The company is owned by its employees, who are known as “partners.”
2 This unique ownership structure was introduced by John Spedan Lewis, the son of the company’s founder, in the early 20th century.
The idea behind the partnership model is to give employees a greater stake in the business, and to create a more democratic and equitable workplace. Under the partnership structure, each employee is a co-owner of the business, and has a say in how the company is run.
The company’s profits are distributed among the partners in the form of an annual bonus, which is based on a percentage of their salary. The bonus is determined by the company’s performance over the course of the year, and can be quite substantial in years when the company does well.
The partnership model has been highly successful for John Lewis, and is often cited as an example of a more sustainable and equitable form of business ownership. It has also helped to foster a strong sense of loyalty and camaraderie among John Lewis employees, who are committed to the success of the company as owners and stakeholders.
The John Lewis flagship store on Oxford Street in London is the largest department store in Europe, with over 300,000 square feet of retail space.
3 The store has been a landmark on Oxford Street since it opened in 1864, and has undergone several major renovations and expansions over the years to keep up with changing retail trends and customer needs.
The Oxford Street store features a wide range of products, from fashion and beauty to home goods and electronics, and is known for its high-quality merchandise and exceptional customer service. The store also includes a number of unique features, such as a roof garden and a personal shopping service, that make it a popular destination for shoppers from around the world.
In addition to the Oxford Street store, John Lewis operates a network of department stores and smaller retail outlets across the UK, as well as an online store that offers a wide range of products and services to customers around the world.
John Lewis is known for its high-quality own-brand products, including clothing, home goods, and electronics.
4 The company’s own-brand products are designed to offer customers exceptional quality and value, and are a key part of the company’s overall strategy to differentiate itself in a crowded and competitive retail marketplace.
John Lewis’s own-brand products are known for their stylish design, durability, and attention to detail, and often feature innovative materials and construction techniques that set them apart from other products on the market. The company invests heavily in product development and testing, to ensure that its own-brand products meet the highest standards of quality and performance.
In addition to its own-brand products, John Lewis also carries a wide range of products from other leading brands, both in its physical stores and online. This allows the company to offer customers a diverse and compelling product assortment, and to stay on the cutting edge of emerging trends and technologies in the retail industry.
John Lewis’s motto is “Never Knowingly Undersold,” which is a commitment to offer customers the best possible value on their purchases.
5 Under this policy, John Lewis promises to match the price of any other retailer selling the same product for less, ensuring that customers always get the best deal when they shop with John Lewis.
This policy is a key part of John Lewis’s overall approach to customer service, which emphasizes a commitment to fairness, honesty, and transparency in all aspects of its operations. By offering customers the best possible value on their purchases, John Lewis aims to build long-term relationships with its customers, and to create a loyal and satisfied customer base that will return to the store time and time again.
The “Never Knowingly Undersold” policy applies not only to physical stores, but also to the company’s online store and catalog, ensuring that customers have access to the same great prices and deals no matter how they choose to shop.
The John Lewis Christmas advert has become something of a cultural phenomenon in the UK, with many people eagerly anticipating its release each year as a sign that the festive season is truly underway.
6 The ads are known for their high production values, emotional resonance, and catchy soundtracks, and often feature heart-warming stories about love, friendship, and family. Some of the most popular John Lewis Christmas ads over the years have included “Monty the Penguin,” “Man on the Moon,” “Buster the Boxer,” and “Moz the Monster,” among others.
These ads have become a major marketing tool for John Lewis, helping to raise awareness of the brand and its products during the crucial holiday shopping season. But they have also come to symbolize something more than just a clever marketing campaign, representing a shared cultural experience that brings people together and helps to create a sense of community and connection in the midst of the busy holiday season.
John Lewis is known for its exceptional customer service, which is a key part of its brand identity.
7 The company employs a team of over 80,000 “partners,” who are all co-owners of the business and are committed to providing the best possible experience for customers.
One of the ways that John Lewis sets itself apart is through its emphasis on personalized advice and assistance. The company’s partners are extensively trained to provide expert guidance on everything from fashion and home decor to electronics and appliances, and they are known for their friendly and approachable manner.
In addition to its in-store service, John Lewis also offers a range of online resources to help customers make informed purchasing decisions, including product reviews, buying guides, and virtual consultations with experts.
All of these efforts have helped to build a loyal customer base for John Lewis, with many people choosing to shop with the company because of its reputation for exceptional customer service and commitment to quality.
The company operates a number of other retail brands, including Waitrose, one of the UK’s leading grocery chains.
8 Waitrose is known for its high-quality products, with an emphasis on fresh, locally sourced produce, as well as its commitment to sustainability and ethical business practices.
The partnership between John Lewis and Waitrose has proven to be a successful one, with the two brands complementing each other well and providing customers with a convenient one-stop shopping destination for all their needs. The partnership also reflects the company’s commitment to providing a wide range of high-quality products and services to customers, while maintaining a focus on sustainability and ethical business practices.
John Lewis has won numerous awards for its sustainability efforts, including recognition for its use of renewable energy and reduction of carbon emissions.
9 In 2020, the company was named the UK’s best corporate responsibility and sustainability team at the Business Green Leaders Awards, in recognition of its efforts to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable business practices.
John Lewis has set ambitious targets to reduce its carbon emissions, including a goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The company has invested in renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies to reduce its carbon footprint, and has implemented a range of initiatives to promote sustainable practices across its operations and supply chain.
In addition to its environmental sustainability efforts, John Lewis has also been recognized for its social responsibility initiatives, including its commitment to fair trade and ethical sourcing of products, and its support for local communities through charitable giving and community outreach programs.
John Lewis is committed to supporting local communities and has implemented a range of initiatives to give back and make a positive impact.
10 One such initiative is the Community Matters program, which operates in John Lewis stores across the UK. Through this program, customers are given the opportunity to nominate local charities and community organizations to receive a share of a monthly donation from the store.
At the end of each month, the store divides a £3,000 donation among three local charities or community groups, based on votes from customers. Since the program’s launch in 2008, John Lewis has donated over £30 million to local charities and community groups through the Community Matters program.
In addition to the Community Matters program, John Lewis also supports local communities through a range of charitable initiatives and partnerships, including its partnership with the British Red Cross to provide support to communities affected by crisis and its support for local food banks through the Waitrose Community Matters program. The company also encourages its employees to get involved in community service and volunteer work through its Partner Volunteering program.
John Lewis phased out all single-use plastic bags by March 2019, ahead of its initial target of 2020.
11 In addition to phasing out single-use plastic bags ahead of schedule, John Lewis has also taken other steps to reduce its environmental impact. For example, the company has set a goal to make all of its own-brand packaging recyclable, reusable, or compostable by 2023.
John Lewis has also launched a program to help customers recycle unwanted clothing, textiles, and home furnishings, and has installed recycling bins in all of its stores. These efforts are part of the company’s broader commitment to sustainability and responsible business practices.
The John Lewis Partnership has a pension fund valued at over £5 billion, making it one of the largest in the UK.
12 The John Lewis Partnership pension fund is a defined benefit pension scheme, which means that employees are promised a specific pension pay-out upon retirement, based on factors such as their salary and length of service.
The pension fund is managed separately from the company’s operations and investments, and is overseen by a board of trustees who are responsible for ensuring its sustainability and long-term viability. The John Lewis Partnership also offers other retirement benefits, such as a savings plan and a company-funded health plan.
John Lewis has a well-established online platform, with a user-friendly website and mobile app.
13 Customers can browse and purchase a wide range of products online, and also access various digital services such as virtual consultations with expert partners, online personal styling advice, and next-day delivery options.
John Lewis has invested heavily in its online presence in recent years, recognizing the growing importance of e-commerce in the retail industry.
With a rich history spanning over 150 years, the John Lewis Partnership has become a cultural institution in the UK.
14 From its humble beginnings as a draper’s shop on Oxford Street to the largest department store in Europe, John Lewis has built a reputation for high-quality products, exceptional customer service, and a commitment to social responsibility.
Its “Never Knowingly Undersold” promise, Christmas adverts, and community programs have all contributed to the brand’s enduring popularity. Despite facing challenges in the competitive UK retail market, John Lewis continues to innovate and evolve, remaining a beloved and iconic brand in the hearts of many.
