John Lewis to launch products 'Made Locally'

Department store group John Lewis is to launch ‘Made Locally’, an initiative to support local suppliers and manufacturers, starting with its new store opening in Leeds in October. The project will see it bring together locally designed and made products in dedicated areas in its shops.

Opening October 20, John Lewis Leeds will stock more than 120 products from 11 Yorkshire suppliers, including Masons Yorkshire Gin and The Harrogate Candle Company, all of which are based within a 30 mile radius of Leeds. The products will also be available on johnlewis.com, making them available to shoppers across the country.

The project is in partnership with The Great British Exchange (GBE) which launched in 2014 and sources artisanal products from new designers, established makers, independent businesses and British-based factories from across the UK.

It provides direct support for independent suppliers, making their products available in national retailers and easily accessible for shoppers.

Anna Rigby, head of buying for home accessories and gifts at John Lewis, said: "We know that our customers are interested in the provenance of products and as a British retailer, we're proud to support British design and quality by sourcing locally.

"Our Made Locally campaign, in partnership with The Great British Exchange, will help us strengthen our existing local supplier base and inevitably champion more British designers and manufacturers."

The Yorkshire suppliers and products sourced by GBE for John Lewis Leeds include home-fragrance brand The Harrogate Candle Company, Masons Yorkshire Gin, Martha and Hepsie, Myroo, The Art Rooms, Bags by Butterfly Tree, Tipple Tails, Jolly Smith, Jane Katherine Houghton, Little Red Berry and Yorkshire Deli.

Over the next few months, John Lewis shops in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Cardiff will also increase their range of locally made products, followed by new shops opening next year in Oxford and Westfield London.

www.johnlewis.co.uk, source:Insider Media Limited

Photo credit:John Lewis Facebook