Sharon White, John Lewis Partnership chairman says she will ‘preserve what makes the Partnership unique’ as she tackles the rising cost of living and sustainability.
‘We know that if retail in the UK is to thrive, we cannot ignore the pace of change going on in the world. We’re adapting just as others must. Our main efforts to change are about how we serve customers, and how we ensure we are on a strong financial footing in the future to continue to do so,’ she told The Telegraph.
‘So, while we and our customers adjust to a changing world, we will act while preserving what makes the John Lewis Partnership unique: being the retailer built on social purpose – the biggest employee-owned business – that we have always been.
‘It is critical that we listen and act on what our customers tell us,’ she says and that the rising cost of living and the environment are top of the minds of the of the group’s customers.
‘These worries are affecting habits as customers try to balance managing their spending, while living more sustainably. Our customers are now more financially prudent, shopping more of our value ranges and spending a bit less. But they still want to do the right thing. Only 6% of consumers have cancelled their regular charity donations. Instead, people are shopping in a purposeful manner.’
