John Lewis partners receive 17% bonus (From Bucks Free Press)

John Lewis partners receive 17% bonus

11:11am Thursday 7th March 2013 in News By Simon Farr

JOHN Lewis partners are celebrating a bumper 17 percent bonus payout.

Staff cheered as managing director Lisa Williams and audio and visual department manager Steve Banks plucked the figure out of a sealed envelope this morning.

The bonus is equivalent to almost nine weeks wages after John Lewis announced a rise in gross sales, revenues and profits for 2012.

It is up from the 14% paid out last year, with this year's bonus pool worth £210m.

Ms Williams said: “Despite tough economic conditions, we have traded strongly at John Lewis High Wycombe throughout 2012, increasing on the previous year’s results.

“2013 will be an incredibly exciting year for us as we go through a refurbishment project to add fashion to our assortment at High Wycombe.

“I would like to thank all of our partners for their hard work and commitment in providing a great shopping experience for our customers.”

Wendy Kettle, PR and marketing coordinator, has worked at the Holmers Farm Way store for 12 years and will use her bonus to fund her son Ben’s wedding reception at The Odney Club in Berkshire in July.

She said: “Ben is my only son and the first of my children to get married so it’s a very exciting time.

“Ben and Claire’s two young boys will be page boys and I’m hoping the sun will shine on their special day.

“The bonus is just one of the many privileges that we’re lucky enough to get as co-owners of the business.

"The John Lewis bonus is a testament to all the hard work we’ve put in and its representative of every single one of us.”