Local investment

In 2010, the Partnership commissioned nef consulting, the strategic consultancy arm of the new economic foundation, to assess the social and economic impact of opening a new shop. Read the key findings of this research (PDF: 676KB).

The Partnership is keen to see London's West End transformed into a modern, dynamic and accessible shopping destination. We have refurbished our flagship Oxford Street John Lewis department store, creating more natural light, better circulation, efficient escalators, and highly efficient boilers, catering equipment and lighting. In doing so, like-for-like CO₂ emissions were reduced by 24 per cent. Development of John Lewis department stores, such as Leicester, Sheffield and Liverpool, form part of a much larger master plan to create cities with wider opportunities, better shopping and easier urban living.

In developing new sites across the country, and refurbishing existing ones, we strive to manage our environmental impact. Plans for every new building are meticulously assessed to ensure that the proposed building will fit in its surroundings. For example, the Waitrose shop in Bath is built from local stone and reflects its historic location, while the futuristic Canary Wharf Food and Home shop is perfectly suited to its ultra-modern setting. Find out more about responsible development.

Read about how in many parts of the UK, a new Waitrose store has boosted local businesses and communities by downloading the Waitrose effect document  (PDF: 5.2MB).

Read about the positive impact that John Lewis can have on the prosperity and perception of a city or town by downloading the John Lewis effect document (PDF: 2.9MB).

Local recruitment

As an employer of distinction we aim to bring sustainable employment opportunities to regeneration areas in the form of high quality jobs and training for local people.

The first John Lewis at home store in Poole, which opened in October 2009, attracted more than 1,000 applications for 100 jobs and, in April 2010, Croydon's biggest retail recruitment campaign kicked off our search for 220 Partners to work in our second at home store. Waitrose's acquisition of five shops from The Co-operative Group in November 2009 resulted in 500 employees joining the business from four Somerfield stores at Ashbourne, Melksham, Storrington and Wellington, and a Co-operative shop in Menai Bridge, North Wales.

Playing a key role in the East London regeneration programme, at John Lewis Stratford City around 80 per cent of Partners were new recruits when the branch opened in September 2011. The recruitment team worked closely with Newham Council to recruit Partners from the local borough, which has the second highest level of unemployment in London. John Lewis has been actively supporting the pre-employment courses for the long-term unemployed designed by Skillsmart Retail (www.skillsmartretail.com), the sector skills council for retail, and delivered by the National Skills Academy through its Retail Skills Shops. It guaranteed 400 assessment places for people who successfully passed the course.