Founded over 160 years ago, John Lewis & Partners stands as one of the United Kingdom’s most iconic and trusted retailers. Its journey from a modest drapery shop to a nationwide powerhouse is not only a story of business success but one deeply rooted in the principles of fairness, partnership, and innovation.
Humble Beginnings
The John Lewis story began in 1864 when John Lewis, a determined young draper from Somerset, opened his first shop on London’s bustling Oxford Street. Selling silks and textiles, Lewis quickly built a reputation for quality and honesty. His entrepreneurial spirit and refusal to compromise on service laid the foundation for what would become one of Britain’s most beloved brands.
In 1905, Lewis acquired Peter Jones in Chelsea, setting the stage for broader expansion. However, it was his son, John Spedan Lewis, who would truly transform the family business and leave an indelible mark on the British retail landscape.
The Birth of a Unique Partnership
Seeing the vast inequality between employers and employees in early 20th-century Britain, Spedan Lewis envisioned a radical new business model. In 1929, he transferred ownership of the company into a trust on behalf of its employees, creating the John Lewis Partnership. Every employee became a ‘Partner’, sharing both the profits and the responsibility of running the business.
This revolutionary structure aimed to ensure that success was shared fairly and that every Partner had a voice in the company’s direction. The principle that “ownership of the means of production should be with those who produce” became the driving philosophy behind the Partnership, setting it apart in the retail world.
Growth and Diversification
Throughout the 20th century, John Lewis expanded carefully and strategically. In 1937, the acquisition of Waitrose, a small chain of grocery stores, diversified the business into the food sector. Additional expansions followed, notably the purchase of 15 branches from the Selfridge Provincial Stores group between 1937 and 1940, cementing the brand’s presence across the United Kingdom.
For decades, John Lewis & Partners remained synonymous with quality, customer service, and the famous ‘Never Knowingly Undersold’ price promise, first introduced in 1925. Though the slogan was officially retired in 2022, its spirit continues to define the retailer’s approach to customer care.
Adapting to a Changing World
The early 21st century presented fresh challenges. Changing shopping habits, increased online competition, and the COVID-19 pandemic tested even the most established retailers. In response, John Lewis embarked on a programme of digital transformation, investing heavily in technology, including a major £100 million cloud migration partnership with Google Cloud.
Leadership changes also came as part of the evolution. In 2023, Nish Kankiwala was appointed the Partnership’s first-ever Chief Executive Officer, tasked with steering a turnaround strategy focused on modernisation and profitability. Under his leadership, John Lewis managed to narrow its losses significantly and attract half a million new customers.
In 2025, the company announced that Jason Tarry, a seasoned Tesco executive, would succeed Dame Sharon White as Chairman, bringing with him a wealth of retail experience to continue the company’s path back to sustainable growth.
A Modern Retail Experience
John Lewis remains committed to reinvention while staying true to its heritage. Its flagship Oxford Street store recently underwent a £6.5 million renovation, introducing new experiential features, including a Jamie Oliver cookery school and café, to better engage customers and enhance the in-store experience.
This blend of tradition and innovation shows that John Lewis remains not just a store, but a cultural institution. It reflects Britain’s evolving society, adapting to modern demands while preserving the values that made it great.
The Road Ahead
John Lewis’s story is a testament to resilience, vision, and a uniquely British sense of fair play. As it faces the future, the Partnership model remains its backbone — a rare structure in a rapidly changing retail world. If the past is any indication, John Lewis & Partners will continue to lead, not by abandoning its traditions, but by intelligently and respectfully adapting them to a new era.
In a world where retail giants rise and fall, John Lewis stands apart: trusted, valued, and owned by the very people who serve its customers.