Local, regional and British sourcing

John Lewis has never forgotten its heritage. Our buyers work with more than 4,000 suppliers in over 80 countries to find the best for our customers, but we support British manufacturers and suppliers wherever we can. For instance, a Yorkshire-based bed maker supplies our 'Natural Collection' mattresses containing wool and hemp grown on its own farm, where previously New Zealand wool was used. Our commercial support and belief in long-term supplier relationships enabled the supplier to establish its own farm to grow raw materials – which travel fewer miles and make better products. We also run a UK supplier showcase event, and we are working to increase the number of suppliers producing products in the UK.

From early 2012, a product identifier which will appear on ticketing and online product information to highlight British-made products in John Lewis. Read more about the 'Made in UK' identifier.

We own a production unit in the north of England, Herbert Parkinson, which produces our own-brand duvets, pillows, furnishing fabrics and ready-made curtains, and provides our made-to-measure curtain service. In 2010 its retail sales exceeded £47 million.

Waitrose's commitment to local and regional sourcing is one of the most established in the food retail sector – covering nearly 2,500 locally and regionally sourced products from over 450 producers. We also sell more UK fruit and vegetables (relative to sales) than our competitors, and 100 per cent of our fresh chicken, beef, pork, milk, eggs and cream are British. We also have our own farm, Leckford.

Waitrose: local and regional food

Most British regions are home to small producers who focus on quality rather than quantity. They only produce enough to supply their local area through farmers' markets, delicatessens, and small specialist shops, but, increasingly, through their local Waitrose.

'Waitrose seeks out the finest local and regional products our country has to offer. We work with farmers and growers in a real spirit of partnership, and provide many rural areas with a new market for small-scale producers. It also means our customers can sample the very best food their local area has to offer and the positive effects are felt in their communities.'

Oliver O'Mara, Product Manager, Local and Regional

Waitrose Partners have worked with producers and industry experts to put together a number of initiatives to make sure that our commitment to local and regional food is mutually beneficial. These include:

• Small Producers' Charter which sets out our policy towards developing working relationships with potential suppliers

• Focus groups in Waitrose shops allowing customers to 'meet the farmer' and vice versa

• Regular 'meet the buyer' events in all regions

Waitrose's work on local and regional sourcing has been recognised with a 'Big Tick' in Business in the Community's Awards for Excellence every year from 2003 to 2009. Find out more about Waitrose's approach.

British farming: Leckford Estate

We believe championing British produce starts at home. Mushrooms, apples, pears, milk and chicken are just some of the Waitrose products produced at the Partnership's own working farm on the Leckford Estate. The Estate, bought by our founder in 1928, covers 4,000 acres in Hampshire. In addition to the farm, the Estate includes Longstock Park Nursery, which sells a wide range of shrubs and plants, Longstock Water Gardens, and various leisure facilities for our Partners including golf courses and fly fishing.

With Leckford Farm, we actively practise our principles concerning animal welfare and sustainable agriculture. We have adopted best practice methods of an Integrated Farm Management system for efficient and environmentally responsible production, and Leckford has been certified to LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) standards since 2004.

Along with several other Waitrose suppliers, Leckford is a LEAF Demonstration Farm and supports LEAF Tracks  (www.leafuk.org), an online system allowing consumers to find out where certified produce comes from and how it is produced.

Leckford also participates in other ecological surveys to find ways to preserve our country's rich biodiversity, so that we can continue as a sustainable, successful business in the long term.