01.05.2015 Views

john-lewis-partnership-plc-annual-report-2015

john-lewis-partnership-plc-annual-report-2015

john-lewis-partnership-plc-annual-report-2015

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

6<br />

John Lewis Partnership <strong>plc</strong> Annual Report and Accounts <strong>2015</strong><br />

Challenges we face<br />

Understanding the bigger picture helps us plan for the future<br />

by adapting our strategy and business model. Here we sum up some<br />

of the biggest global and retail trends affecting our business.<br />

Global<br />

trends<br />

Our external environment<br />

is considerably more complex<br />

than when John Spedan Lewis<br />

established the Partnership.<br />

Trends<br />

Globalisation of supply chains<br />

and volatility in commodity prices<br />

The globalisation of supply chains makes it more difficult<br />

for companies to have complete visibility of all suppliers and<br />

associated costs. The volatility in commodity prices, such<br />

as oil and raw materials, creates greater risk for businesses.<br />

Growing concerns around<br />

health, wellbeing, inequality and diversity<br />

Growing health crises such as obesity are costing lives.<br />

Austerity and stagnating wages around the world are<br />

heightening the gap between rich and poor. Whilst the<br />

diversity of UK population continues to grow, this is not<br />

represented in the workplace.<br />

Climate change and natural resources<br />

Human activity is contributing to climate change,<br />

with negative impacts already affecting global supply chains.<br />

Natural resources are being over-exploited.<br />

Retail<br />

trends<br />

There continues to be significant<br />

shifts in the way customers<br />

research, shop and take delivery<br />

of their goods, whether grocery<br />

or non-food.<br />

Trends<br />

Deflation and structural changes<br />

in the grocery sector<br />

The falling oil price, good harvests globally, and lower<br />

consumption in developed countries have led to the highest<br />

level of food price deflation in the UK since the 1970s.<br />

The rise of discount grocery retailers has added to demand<br />

for value and increased price competition across the industry.<br />

Rise of convenience shopping and technology<br />

New technology is driving demand for convenient,<br />

flexible shopping based around consumer lifestyles.<br />

Consumers now shop and take delivery of their<br />

goods 24/7 online from home and mobile devices.<br />

Transparency and trust more<br />

important than ever<br />

There is increasing demand for transparency on<br />

a variety of issues, from corporate conduct to where<br />

and how products are made.

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!