Our History
Over 100 years ago our Founder, John Spedan Lewis, began an experiment into a better way of doing business by including staff in decision making on how the business would be run.
He set out the principles for how the Company should operate and produced a written Constitution to help Partners understand their rights and responsibilities as co-owners.
Spedan Lewis wanted to create a way of doing business that was both commercial, allowing it to move quickly and stay ahead in a highly-competitive industry, and democratic, giving every Partner a voice in the business they co-own. This combination, so ahead of its time, continues to make us who we are today.
A Partnership with Purpose
Since its beginning the John Lewis Partnership has set out to be a force for good. While that principle is alive and well within our business today, if we’re going to help address some of the biggest challenges of our time, we need to be even bolder.
Many businesses talk about Purpose but we walk with it - aiming to make sufficient profit to create a Partnership that is fairer and more sustainable for all Partners, customers, suppliers and communities we serve.
Our Purpose promise “Working in Partnership for a Happier World” is not just a slogan. It is a deeply rooted and unshakable commitment that acts as our guide, inspires all our principles and influences every decision we make.
Through it, we not only do things differently, but better. Always striving to make the world a better and happier place for everyone and everything our business touches.
Timeline
1864
John Lewis opens a small draper’s shop on Oxford Street, London
1890s
Having won a good reputation with his customers, for offering good value, assortment, service and honest dealing John Lewis rebuilt his Oxford Street premises as a fully fledged department store.
1904
On his 19th birthday Spedan began work in his father’s large and profitable business.
1905
After the death of Peter Jones at the age of 62, John Lewis bought control of Peter Jones Limited.
1909
Spedan Lewis was thrown from his horse whilst riding through Regents Park. The serious injuries he sustained led to a long period of convalescence. During this time he thought about his father’s business and his future. He was keen that his employees had a share in the profits whilst ensuring the business was sustainable.
1914
John Lewis hands control of Peter Jones to his son John Spedan Lewis
1918
First copy of our weekly in-house magazine – The Gazette – was published
1919
John Spedan Lewis sets up a staff council and a charitable donation committee
1920
The first sharing of profit in the form of share promises, from this point on employees were known as Partners.
1928
John Lewis Senior died and Spedan inherited the controlling share of the Oxford Street business. Within weeks Spedan began his experiment in branch trading by acquiring T J Harries, another department store in Oxford Street.
1928
The first edition of the Partnership’s Constitution was published. It contained the articles and regulations governing all Partners in their dealings with customers, suppliers and each other. Although it has gone through many editions and revisions the Constitution still protects the Partnership’s values and enshrines its governance almost 100 years later.
1929
The John Lewis Partnership was incorporated as a limited company and the first Trust Settlement created. Three trustees were appointed under the terms of the first Settlement to ensure the sharing of profits between the workers.
1933
A medical service providing free healthcare for Partners was available in branches.
1933
The Partnership continued its expansion by acquiring Jessops of Nottingham, its first department store outside of London.
1934
Work started on rebuilding Peter Jones in Sloane Square. The brief was to create a shop unlike any other in London.
1937
The Partnership bought Waitrose Ltd; a chain of ten grocery and provision shops established by Wallace Waite and Arthur Rose in 1908.
1937
Jonell was introduced as an own brand for silk stockings in 1937. By the 1950s the range had expanded to include radios, bedding, fashion and kitchen items. Every item was specially selected for high standards of quality, value and design. In 1956 the Jonelle trade name was registered and remained in use across a wide range of goods until the mid noughties.
1940
The Partnership doubled its size by buying 15 branches of the Selfridge Provincial Stores Group giving the Partnership a trading platform across England.
1950
The Second Trust Settlement was made and remaining shares and ultimate control transferred to Trustees.
1955
John Spedan Lewis retired.
1970
Partners receive Partnership Bonus in cash rather than stocks and cash.
1979
Six months long leave is introduced to Partners for 25 years of service to mark the 50th anniversary of the first Trust Settlement.
1983
£100 million turnover was celebrated by John Lewis Oxford Street, the same year the Partnership reached £1,000 million turnover.
2001
John Lewis Direct, the forerunner of today’s Johnlewis.com was launched.
2018
John Lewis and Waitrose rebrand to John Lewis & Partners and Waitrose & Partners
2021
First UK Retailer to Introduce Six Months’ Equal Parenthood Paid Leave and Two Weeks’ Paid Pregnancy Loss Leave.
2022
Refreshed Purpose was launched; “Working in Partnership for a Happier World”.