The Constitution of the John Lewis Partnership
Not many companies have a written constitution. Their's is, for two reasons :
The first is historical. The John Lewis Partnership exists today because of the extraordinary vision and ideals of its Founder, John Spedan Lewis, who signed away his personal ownership rights in a growing retail company to allow future generations of employees to take forward his 'experiment in industrial democracy'. Not unreasonably, he wanted to leave some clear guidelines for his successors, so that the values which had motivated him would not be eroded with the passage of time.
The second reason looks forward. Spedan Lewis was committed to establishing 'a better form of business', and the challenge for Partners of today is to prove that a business which is not driven by the demands of outside shareholders and which sets high standards of behaviour can flourish in the competitive conditions of the third millennium. Indeed, they aim to demonstrate that adhering to these Principles and Rules enables them over the long term to outperform companies with conventional ownership structures.

The Constitution states that 'the happiness of its members' is the Partnership's ultimate purpose, recognising that such happiness depends on having a satisfying job in a successful business. It establishes a system of 'rights and responsibilities', which places on all Partners the obligation to work for the improvement of their business - in the knowledge that they share the rewards of success.

Principles of the John Lewis Partnership

Purpose
The John Lewis Partnership ultimate purpose is the happiness of all its members, through their worthwhile and satisfying employment in a successful business. Because the Partnership is owned in trust for its members, they share the responsibilities of ownership as well as its rewards - profit, knowledge and power.

Power
Power in The John Lewis Partnership is shared between three governing authorities, the Partnership Council, the Partnership Board and the Chairman.

Profit
The John Lewis Partnership aims to make sufficient profit from its trading operations to sustain its commercial vitality, to finance its continued development and to distribute a share of those profits each year to its members, and to enable it to undertake other activities consistent with its ultimate purpose.

Customers
The John Lewis Partnership aims to deal honestly with its customers and secure their loyalty and trust by providing outstanding choice, value and service.

Members
The John Lewis Partnership aims to employ people of ability and integrity who are committed to working together and to supporting its Principles. Relationships are based on mutual respect and courtesy, with as much equality between its members as differences of responsibility permit. The Partnership aims to recognise their individual contributions and reward them fairly.

Business Relationships
The John Lewis Partnership aims to conduct all its business relationships with integrity and courtesy and to honour scrupulously every business agreement.

The Community
The John Lewis Partnership aims to obey the spirit as well as the letter of the law and to contribute to the wellbeing of the communities where it operates.

Welcome to Online shopping
The quality and service you have come to expect from John Lewis department stores is now available on the Internet through our range of online shopping services.