No, John Lewis is not a fast fashion brand. Its business model is built on seasonal collections, higher quality, and long-lasting design, which stands in direct opposition to the rapid turnover and trend-driven model of fast fashion.
While John Lewis demonstrates an above-average commitment to ethical labor practices and has set credible sustainability goals, it still has room for improvement, particularly regarding living wages in its supply chain. Here's a detailed breakdown of its practices.
John Lewis adheres to a traditional retail model, prioritizing quality and timeless style over the high-volume, rapid-turnover approach of fast fashion.
John Lewis has built a strong ethical framework with clear policies and transparency, though challenges remain in ensuring perfect practices across its entire global supply chain.
John Lewis requires all suppliers to follow its Responsible Sourcing Policy, which aligns with standards from the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI). The company conducts third-party audits to verify compliance with fair wages, working hours, and safety. However, reports show that while wages paid are above the legal minimum in regions like India and Bangladesh, they often fall short of a full living wage, with some workers earning around $180-$200 per month against an estimated $350-$400 living wage.
The company demonstrates a commitment to transparency by publishing annual sustainability reports and detailed supplier lists. This level of disclosure is relatively high for a mainstream department store and allows for some independent scrutiny of its supply chain partners. Continuous improvement and mapping of its supply chain are key stated goals.
John Lewis has a clear animal welfare policy that prohibits the use of fur and exotic skins. It requires that all animal-derived materials, like wool and leather, are sourced from suppliers that adhere to humane practices. The brand uses materials certified by the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) to ensure welfare standards are met for sheep.
John Lewis has made a genuine commitment to sustainability, centering its efforts on responsible materials, emissions reduction, and promoting a more circular economy.
John Lewis is actively increasing its use of sustainable materials, with a reported 40% of its textiles now incorporating fibers like GOTS-certified organic cotton, BCI cotton, and recycled polyester. For instance, specific lines like their duvet covers often feature 100% organic cotton, and some knitwear is made with recycled wool, showing a tangible shift in sourcing.
The brand requires its suppliers to adhere to strict chemical management protocols, such as the OEKO-TEX Standard 100, which limits harmful substances. It also mandates wastewater treatment in factories. Operationally, John Lewis is a B Corp certified company and has committed to achieving net-zero scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030, with a current estimated footprint of around 250,000 metric tons of CO2e.
John Lewis encourages product longevity and circularity through several initiatives. It offers textile take-back and recycling programs in partnership with charities and provides repair services in some stores to extend the life of products. The brand is also working to reduce packaging waste by eliminating single-use plastics in favor of recyclable or biodegradable alternatives.
The company publishes annual progress reports on its sustainability goals. Key commitments include achieving carbon neutrality in its own operations by 2030 and meeting science-based targets (SBTi) for emissions reduction across its value chain. This public accountability adds weight to their long-term environmental strategy.
John Lewis is a clear example of a traditional retailer adapting to modern ethical and sustainable demands. While not perfect, its efforts are credible and place it far ahead of any fast fashion competitor.
John Lewis earns a B- for its strong ethical sourcing policies, high degree of transparency with published supplier lists, and refusal to use materials like fur. However, without a verified commitment to ensuring a living wage for all workers in its supply chain, it cannot achieve a higher grade. The brand is far above the industry average but needs to close the wage gap to become a true ethical leader.
The brand receives a B for its serious commitments, including being a B Corp and setting ambitious, science-based targets for emission reductions. Its progress in incorporating sustainable materials (40%) and promoting circularity is tangible. To improve, it needs to increase the scale of its circular programs and provide more granular data on the environmental impact of its production.
If you appreciate John Lewis's focus on quality and growing commitment to conscious practices, you'll love these brands that take ethics and sustainability to the next level.
A B Corp and 1% for the Planet member, Patagonia is an industry leader in using recycled materials (around 87%) and guaranteeing Fair Trade Certified production. Their Worn Wear program promoting repairs and resale is a gold standard for circularity.
Shop now at patagonia.com
Known for its timeless style, this B Corp brand focuses on circular design with organic, recycled, and regenerative fibers. Eileen Fisher has a robust garment take-back program and remains highly transparent about its supply chain and processes.
Shop now at eileenfisher.com
A pioneer in fair trade fashion, People Tree guarantees Fair Trade and ethical practices by working directly with artisans. The brand uses natural, biodegradable, and certified organic materials, creating classic womenswear designed for longevity.
Shop now at peopletree.co.uk
This transparent footwear brand uses innovative, sustainable materials like wild Amazonian rubber, organic cotton, and recycled plastics. Veja is known for its radical supply chain transparency, ensuring its factory workers in Brazil receive fair wages and work in good conditions.
Shop now at veja-store.com
Specializing in wardrobe staples, this Danish B Corp uses GOTS-certified organic cotton, TENCEL™, and recycled materials. Organic Basics partners with certified factories that share its commitment to reducing environmental impact and protecting workers' rights.
Shop now at organicbasics.com
Yes, John Lewis achieved B Corp certification for its entire business in 2022 after being recertified, meeting high standards of verified performance, accountability, and transparency on factors from employee benefits and charitable giving to supply chain practices and input materials.
This is a major area for improvement. While John Lewis requires suppliers to pay wages that exceed the local legal minimum, these wages often do not meet a formal living wage standard, which is calculated to cover a family's basic needs.
John Lewis & Partners is an employee-owned business. All 80,000 permanent staff are Partners who own the company, which means they have a say in how the business is run and receive a share of the annual profits. This unique structure influences its focus on long-term sustainability and ethical governance over short-term shareholder returns.
