The John Lewis Partnership, which includes Waitrose, has today announced new measures to help its shops meet the needs of customers with a particular focus on the elderly and the vulnerable.
These include a £1million Community Support Fund to be distributed by Waitrose shops to local communities, and protected shopping time for the elderly and the vulnerable. The Partnership is also exploring offering online classes and advice from expert Partners to customers who are having to self-isolate at home. These could include cookery classes.
Sharon White, Chairman of the John Lewis Partnership, said; “At this time of national crisis, the John Lewis Partnership is wholeheartedly committed to ensuring we support customers and in particular the elderly and most vulnerable. Our commitment to contribute to the wellbeing of the communities we operate in has always been at the heart of our business.”
“Partners have been outstanding, supporting each other and responding to the huge surge in demand at Waitrose. More than 2,100 John Lewis Partners are helping in Waitrose shops this month and supporting deliveries; I am truly grateful to everyone.”
Teams in each shop will work together with their communities to choose the best way to use the new community fund. Help could include setting up additional local delivery services to support the self-isolating, the vulnerable, the elderly and those looking after them; delivering boxes of staples to local care homes and community groups, and donating products to create care packages for customers to share with vulnerable neighbours.
Anticipating the feelings of loneliness and isolation customers may start to feel at home, John Lewis is exploring ways to offer its partner led services remotely to customers in their homes. This could include wellbeing advice; craft and cookery classes provided by partners online, or on one to one calls.
The Partnership is also setting up a support fund to aid those who are facing additional costs as a result of the pandemic; such as childcare costs. Partners will also be offered free meals at work.
Top: Partners at John Lewis in Cheltenham.
