The retail industry has become an important part of the UK economy because of its extensive influence. However, due to the comprehensive effects of various external environments, especially the Brexit process, it has had a huge impact on the industry. John Lewis also encounters the same challenge as other retailers in the face of changes, but at the same time, the brand which has nearly 100 years of history and unique operating model also has different opportunities. This essay will analyze the development and current situation of John Lewis. To make the analysis clearer, this essay will focus on the following: Firstly, a brief introduction to the history and development of John Lewis. Secondly, analyze the external environment from six aspects
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The expansion and development of his business was due to his efforts to provide high value products to consumers (Lewis, 1975). However, who really made ‘the John Lewis economy’ (Clegg, 2012) stand out in the retail business was his son, John Spedan Lewis. In a BBC online poll, he was voted the best business leader (BBC News, 2002) and his reforms dated back to 1914, when he set up staff committee, furthermore, the symbol of democracy, the Council, was established in the following year, which also laid the foundation for the establishment of the future partnership system. In 1916, he further pushed forward with radical measures, including raising wages and giving an extra week of paid vacation in Peter Jones. Moreover, the most remarkable feat was the introduction of the Partnership at both shops in 1926. Through the acquisition of Waitrose and Selfridge Provincial Stores Group in 1937 and 1940, the scale of the Partnership doubled. In 1955, Bernard Miller succeeded the Partnership because of John Spedan Lewis's retirement, and in the same year, the first supermarket of Waitrose began operating. Although John Spedan Lewis died in 1963, the partnership business model he advocated still leads the development of the company. In the 1990s, when Sir Stuart Hampson led the company, John Lewis began to develop retail businesses in multiple …show more content…
Meanwhile, because of the importance of the retail industry to the country and the fact that it requires less market intervention, the government encourages the development and support of the retail industry (Department for Business, Innovation & Skills, 2013). To make British businesses more competitive, the UK government issued Plan for Growth in 2011, and updated the implementation in the following two years. The policies include offering the unemployed with pre-job training to meet the retailer's standard; reducing barriers to online retailing across the border; and creating a group of government officials, diplomats and retailers to guide overseas investment projects (HM Treasury, 2013; Rhodes and Brien, 2017). Supported by these policies, John Lewis sold goods to more than 100 countries and achieved an annual export growth rate of 14.9% (Rigby, 2017a). However, the policy benefits do not always guarantee the steady development of the retail industry in the UK. Political instability in UK has had negative effects on both retailers and consumers after the UK's vote to leave the European Union. Because of the unpredictability of the future, retailers are reluctant to determine the follow-up plan, meanwhile, consumers also have negative attitudes (KPMG,
The expansion and development of his business was due to his efforts to provide high value products to consumers (Lewis, 1975). However, who really made ‘the John Lewis economy’ (Clegg, 2012) stand out in the retail business was his son, John Spedan Lewis. In a BBC online poll, he was voted the best business leader (BBC News, 2002) and his reforms dated back to 1914, when he set up staff committee, furthermore, the symbol of democracy, the Council, was established in the following year, which also laid the foundation for the establishment of the future partnership system. In 1916, he further pushed forward with radical measures, including raising wages and giving an extra week of paid vacation in Peter Jones. Moreover, the most remarkable feat was the introduction of the Partnership at both shops in 1926. Through the acquisition of Waitrose and Selfridge Provincial Stores Group in 1937 and 1940, the scale of the Partnership doubled. In 1955, Bernard Miller succeeded the Partnership because of John Spedan Lewis's retirement, and in the same year, the first supermarket of Waitrose began operating. Although John Spedan Lewis died in 1963, the partnership business model he advocated still leads the development of the company. In the 1990s, when Sir Stuart Hampson led the company, John Lewis began to develop retail businesses in multiple …show more content…
Meanwhile, because of the importance of the retail industry to the country and the fact that it requires less market intervention, the government encourages the development and support of the retail industry (Department for Business, Innovation & Skills, 2013). To make British businesses more competitive, the UK government issued Plan for Growth in 2011, and updated the implementation in the following two years. The policies include offering the unemployed with pre-job training to meet the retailer's standard; reducing barriers to online retailing across the border; and creating a group of government officials, diplomats and retailers to guide overseas investment projects (HM Treasury, 2013; Rhodes and Brien, 2017). Supported by these policies, John Lewis sold goods to more than 100 countries and achieved an annual export growth rate of 14.9% (Rigby, 2017a). However, the policy benefits do not always guarantee the steady development of the retail industry in the UK. Political instability in UK has had negative effects on both retailers and consumers after the UK's vote to leave the European Union. Because of the unpredictability of the future, retailers are reluctant to determine the follow-up plan, meanwhile, consumers also have negative attitudes (KPMG,