Company Directory - Waitrose & Partners
Company Details - Waitrose & Partners
Waitrose & Partners
WebsiteBracknell, United Kingdom
Waitrose & Partners is a premium British supermarket retailer known for its high-quality grocery products and excellent customer service. Operating as part of the John Lewis Partnership, it runs a chain of supermarkets across the United Kingdom, offering a wide range of fresh foods, groceries, and non-food items.
CCI Score
CCI Score: Waitrose & Partners
-1.24
0.01%
Latest Event
Waitrose Disputes Forced Labour Claims with Supply Chain Testing
Waitrose & Partners responded to BBC allegations linking 'Italian' tomato puree to forced labour in Xinjiang by conducting its own supply chain tests, which contradicted the claims. This move positions the company as taking proactive measures to monitor and ensure ethical sourcing in response to serious human rights concerns.
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BYSTANDER
Waitrose & Partners is currently rated as a Bystander.
Latest Events
- DEC102024
Waitrose & Partners responded to BBC allegations linking 'Italian' tomato puree to forced labour in Xinjiang by conducting its own supply chain tests, which contradicted the claims. This move positions the company as taking proactive measures to monitor and ensure ethical sourcing in response to serious human rights concerns.
+50
Supply Chain Ethics
March 29
Waitrose’s decision to conduct independent testing of its tomato puree supply chain, in response to forced labour allegations, reflects an effort to uphold ethical sourcing and protect human rights. By challenging the BBC report with its own evidence, the company demonstrates a commitment to transparency and responsible supply chain management, which is critical given the links between forced labour and authoritarian practices.
UK-sold 'Italian' purees likely to contain tomatoes linked to Chinese forced labour, BBC reports
- DEC062024
Investigations revealed that tomato purée sold at Waitrose and other UK supermarkets may be sourced from forced labor in China, raising serious concerns about the company's supply chain ethics.
-80
Supply Chain Ethics
March 29
The investigation implicates Waitrose in supplying tomato purée potentially produced using forced labor in China, a clear violation of ethical supply chain practices. Forced labor is fundamentally exploitative and undermines workers' rights, aligning this incident with severe ethical breaches in business practices.
- DEC032024
Following media reports alleging that 'Italian' tomato puree may contain tomatoes sourced using forced labour in China's Xinjiang, Waitrose & Partners launched an immediate investigation. The supermarket dispatched a team of food auditors to Italy to conduct a traceability audit and independent lab testing to verify that its products comply with its strict sourcing policies.
+70
Supply Chain Ethics
March 29
Waitrose & Partners responded promptly to allegations of forced labour in their tomato puree supply chain by launching an independent audit and traceability testing. This proactive measure to ensure suppliers meet ethical standards in sourcing demonstrates strong commitment to supply chain ethics and human rights, earning a positive score.
Chinese forced labour claims over ‘Italian’ tomato puree in UK supermarkets
- DEC022024
A BBC investigation revealed that Waitrose’s 'Essential Tomato Purée' was implicated in a scandal after products labeled as Italian were found to contain tomatoes from China’s Xinjiang region, where forced labor allegations persist. Waitrose questioned the investigation’s methodology and denied using Chinese tomatoes, but the incident raises serious supply chain transparency and labor rights concerns.
-60
Supply Chain Ethics
March 29
The inclusion of tomatoes from China’s Xinjiang region—an area noted for forced labor allegations—in Waitrose’s ‘Essential Tomato Purée’ raises significant ethical concerns regarding supply chain management and labor rights. Despite the company’s denial and questioning of the investigation’s methodology, such connections suggest a failure in ensuring product sourcing does not contribute to human rights abuses.
UK Supermarkets Face Accusations Over “Italian” Tomato Purée Sourced in China
- FEB282024
Workers at Waitrose & Partners, part of the John Lewis Partnership, are reacting to transformative cost-cutting measures including potential job cuts of up to 11,000 roles and halved redundancy pay. Union representatives have decried the plan as undermining worker rights and worsening working conditions.
-70
Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices
March 29
The planned reduction in workforce and the reform of redundancy policies, which effectively cut compensation and increase workload, represent a serious disregard for workers' rights. These measures not only diminish labor protections but also fuel discontent and the potential for union-led opposition, reinforcing an authoritarian approach to corporate cost-saving.
- SEP072023
Waitrose initiated a consultation under its 'Simpler Shops' project, warning that workers who do not accept flexible hours could face job losses in an effort to boost productivity and reduce costs amid declining market share.
-50
Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices
March 29
The article describes how Waitrose is pushing its employees to accept flexible working hours, with warnings of potential job losses and sacrifices, thereby undermining secure labor practices and worker rights. This move, aimed at cost-cutting and productivity improvements, negatively impacts the well-being and security of its workers.
Waitrose warns of job losses as it pushes workers towards flexible hours
- SEP062023
Waitrose is implementing changes to work patterns to unlock an estimated 4 million hours of productivity savings (£50mn a year), effectively pressuring shop workers to accept more flexible hours in the absence of union representation.
-70
Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices
March 29
The company's push for more flexible work hours, aimed at unlocking productivity savings, places increased pressure on workers without the protection of union representation. This shift risks undermining worker rights and job security, reflecting poor labor practices from an anti-authoritarian perspective.
- JUL112023
Waitrose & Partners' CSR webpage on the John Lewis Partnership site has published several important documents including its Tea Sourcing List 2023, Human Rights Report, and Modern Slavery Statement. These documents demonstrate the company's commitment to transparency and ethical practices in its supply chain, with efforts to assess labor conditions and improve human rights standards.
+60
Supply Chain Ethics
March 29
The publication of the Tea Sourcing List 2023 underscores Waitrose & Partners' effort to monitor and provide transparency in its supply chain practices. This move is a positive signal towards ethical sourcing and reducing risks of exploitation, aligning with anti-authoritarian and human rights standards.
+50
Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices
March 29
The associated Human Rights Report and Modern Slavery Statement indicate proactive measures to evaluate and improve labor conditions and human rights practices. These disclosures are crucial for holding the company accountable to ethical labor standards and reducing complicity in exploitation.
- JAN012023
The John Lewis Partnership released its 2023/24 Ethics & Sustainability Report, which details the company’s commitment to ethical business practices and sustainability. The report highlights initiatives, such as projects funded by the Waitrose Foundation that aim to improve the lives and working conditions of those involved in producing, picking, and packing produce.
+80
Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices
October 12
The report underscores a strong commitment to ethical labor practices by funding projects to support the wellbeing of production workers, reflecting an investment in worker rights and sustainable, ethical practices. Such initiatives, promoted through the Waitrose Foundation, align with progressive anti-fascist values and highlight positive business responsibility.
John Lewis Partnership - 2023/24 Ethics & Sustainability Report
- AUG092020
Waitrose is piloting body-worn cameras at 50 branches to safeguard staff from violent and abusive incidents. The trial, echoing a similar move by Co-Op, is designed to ensure that retail workers feel safe and supported while on duty.
+80
Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices
March 29
By trialling body-worn cameras, Waitrose is taking proactive measures to protect its frontline workers from violence and abuse. This initiative supports enhanced worker safety and upholds labor rights, aligning with progressive values against authoritarian exploitation of workers.
Waitrose follows Co-Op in giving staff body-worn cameras to protect against violence and abuse
- OCT122018
Waitrose & Partners has initiated a trial using body-worn cameras and smart locks as part of its new in-home delivery service. The system records delivery drivers’ movements when they enter a customer’s property and allows customers to view the footage, aiming to enhance security and accountability.
+20
Technology and Services Impact
March 29
The trial leverages emerging technologies to increase transparency and customer security by recording delivery interactions. Although surveillance technology can be a double‐edged sword, in this case, the implementation is presented as a means to boost customer confidence and accountability rather than to suppress or control workers, aligning with anti-authoritarian best practices.
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