Retail Insider Evening Event with John Lewis and Waitrose
Retail Insider held its latest Evening Event of 2019 with senior executives from John Lewis and Waitrose sharing their thoughts on how the two organisations are working increasingly closely together to develop a compelling experience-rich proposition for the future.
Held in the development kitchens at the Waitrose store in the Granary Square development of King’s Cross the unique event brought together key players from the two businesses.
Guests from retailers including Tesco, Harvey Nichols, Amazon, Marks & Spencer and Sofa Workshop heard insights from a panel comprising: Peter Cross, customer experience director, John Lewis; Simon Burdess, director of customer service, Waitrose; Richard Ambler, head of business development, John Lewis Ventures (facing into John Lewis); and Nicola Waller, head of business development, John Lewis Ventures (facing into Waitrose).
The panel’s wide ranging discussion explored how innovation is being ramped up within the company as the individual elements work increasingly closely together and develop and share their multi-channel expertise.
Many examples were given of the innovations currently taking place, which straddle the physical stores of John Lewis and Waitrose as well as the digital channels. These developments are very much focused on the overall group delivering a much richer experience-driven proposition to customers.
The evening also included chefs from the Waitrose Cookery School demonstrating their skills by cooking an array of small plate dishes that were enjoyed alongside a variety of drinks.
Retail Insider would like to thank Peter Cross, Simon Burdess, Richard Ambler and Nicola Waller as well as Steve Mann from John Lewis for helping to put together the event.
It is also a big thank-you to the evening’s sponsors PCMS Group, K3 Business Technologies, Software AG and H.I. Executive Consulting. Without their much appreciated support the event would not have been possible.
Glynn Davis, editor, Retail Insider