John Lewis

John Lewis in brief

• Rank: #21 of 100 in UK's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026; #3 of 13 in Retail & E-Commerce.
• WCRC Power Score: 67.92 out of 100.
• Founded: 1864, by John Lewis.
• Owner: John Lewis Partnership plc, London, England.
• Leadership: Jason Tarry, Chairman of the John Lewis Partnership.
• Latest revenue: £4.9bn revenue (FY2026, year to Jan 2026, +3.0%), as per company filings.

What makes John Lewis powerful

John Lewis is one of Britain's most trusted retail names, and its ownership model is central to that. The business belongs to its employees, known as Partners, through the John Lewis Partnership, which also owns Waitrose. In the year to January 2026 John Lewis sales rose 3% to £4.9bn and its adjusted operating profit improved by £13m to £58m, lifting its operating margin to 1.6%.

The brand's appeal rests on quality, service and fair dealing, with its stores and website serving as a reference point for home, electricals and gifting. Group sales across the Partnership reached £13.4bn, and profit before bonus and exceptional items rose 6% to £134m, allowing the return of a staff bonus. That shared reward reinforces the culture customers associate with the brand.

John Lewis Partners received a bonus in 2026 for the first time since 2022.

Why John Lewis ranks #21

John Lewis ranks 21st with a WCRC Power Score of 67.92, just behind Marks & Spencer and ahead of BP. Trust (74) is its strongest pillar, reflecting its employee-owned model and service reputation, with positioning (70) and sustainability and governance (68) also strong. Product (62) and digital and financial strength (58) are weaker, reflecting thin margins and a statutory loss, and hold it back.

The Achilles' heel

Margins remain thin. The Partnership faced £53m of new costs from higher employer national insurance and the packaging levy, and one-off charges, including a write-down of old technology, led to a £21m statutory pre-tax loss. It remains cautious about trading in 2026/27, with consumers under pressure and a subdued market for big-ticket goods.

The 2026 story

In March 2026 the John Lewis Partnership reported sales up 5% to £13.4bn and profit before bonus and exceptional items up 6% to £134m. John Lewis department store sales grew 3% to £4.9bn and Waitrose sales rose 7% to £8.5bn. Partners received a bonus of 2%, about one week's pay, the first since 2022. Write-downs on old technology pushed the group to a £21m statutory loss, and the Partnership, chaired by Jason Tarry, said it remained cautious about trading in 2026/27.

Pillar profile

Provisional desk scores out of 100, for the WCRC Business Intelligence Unit to validate.

Versus its nearest rivals

Questions people ask

Also featured in

• Most powerful Retail & E-Commerce brands
• UK's 50 Most Valuable Brands
• Iconic British Heritage Brands
• Most Famous British Brands
• UK's Most Trusted Brands
• Most powerful brands in England

Key facts

Sources

• Revenue figure published by John Lewis Partnership plc
• Company website, official announcements and press releases
• Published interviews and statements by the leadership
• WCRC Business Intelligence Unit research: consumer sentiment, ratings and reviews, search demand, media and social data