John Lewis Partnership is the United Kingdom’s largest employee-owned business, established in 1929 by John Spedan Lewis who combined John Lewis and Peter Jones into a single entity. It operates two main retail brands: John Lewis & Partners, a chain of department stores offering a wide range of products including homeware, fashion, electronics, and beauty products, and Waitrose & Partners, an upmarket supermarket chain with over 300 branches primarily in London and southern England. The partnership emphasizes employee ownership and democratic governance, which distinguishes it from other retail businesses.
The John Lewis stores include flagship large department stores, smaller ‘John Lewis at Home’ stores catering to areas without a full department store, and various convenience and click-and-collect formats. Waitrose focuses on quality food products and also operates convenience stores. Both brands serve customers through physical retail locations as well as online platforms, johnlewis.com and waitrose.com, offering comprehensive ranges from groceries to home furnishings and technology.
Beyond retail, John Lewis Partnership offers additional services such as financial products, beauty services, insurance, and optical services. The company also runs a production unit and a farm to support its supply chain. Headquartered in London, the partnership employs tens of thousands and remains committed to its founding principles of partnership and shared ownership among its employees, known as partners.
Overall, John Lewis Partnership is a distinctive and influential player in the UK retail market, known for its commitment to employee ownership, high-quality products, and customer service excellence. It has a rich heritage dating back to the early 20th century and continues to adapt with evolving retail trends while maintaining its core values.