John Lewis promises to restore staff bonus ‘as soon as possible’

The department store giant and its food business Waitrose has not paid out a bonus to staff since 2022, arguing instead that it has been focused on improved employee base pay rates in that time – including a 7.4% pay rise in 2025 – and investing in stores and supply chain infrastructure.

Despite this, a spokesperson for John Lewis and Waitrose said it was “determined” to reward staff with a bonus “as soon as possible”.

“Our bonus remains an important feature of our employee ownership model, and we’ve publicly stated that we are determined to pay one as soon as possible.

“We’re proud of our varied and unique benefits package and we want to do much more to recognise our brilliant Partners.”

At the recent John Lewis results call in March, new partnership chair Jason Tarry also insisted the brand was looking to reinstate the bonus “as soon as possible”.

This follows a campaign launched by a group of disgruntled employees calling for the retailer to “Bring Back the Bonus” – having published an open letter to executive director Peter Ruis and an online petition.

The campaign – first covered by The Financial Times – said that John Lewis has tripled its profits in the last year and should reinstate the annual bonus as a result.

“We’re working harder than ever, with fewer staff and growing workloads, but getting less recognition,” the letter claimed. “The bonus meant something more than just money. It was a sign that the company saw and appreciated us.”