the InformerMarch 2012

Inside:Partners cheer well earned bonusPlus...Preparations underway for 2012 Partner Survey

This month’s trade update from:

Jared Hughes

This years seems to be flying! We are now well into the first trading quarter and despite the very challenging economic climate, sales as a branch are up on last year. It may only be by 2.5% but it is still a healthy increase.Breaking that down further, the food floor continues to attract good numbers and is seeing positive growth of 7.1% YOY. This is partly down to the increasing numbers of workers on the estate plus, of course, the offer that we provide.Replicating the rest of John Lewis, the home floors are finding life a little harder as customers tighten their big ticket and non essential spending. Although home is run-ning -13.9% YOY, the figure is narrowing and I do not think it will be long before the gap is closed. This is a credit to all those working tirelessly to offer the very best service to satisfy those customers that do come through the door wanting to spend money.The numbers of those customers has also increased significantly. We are edging clos-er to having 100k customers every week - a staggering figure.The economic climate is not our only chal-lenge though. To enable future business growth and investment, all branches are being set budgets that rightly demand us to question what we do, how we do it and

how we can do it more efficiently.My key message to you is that we ultimate-ly need to increase our sales whilst control-ling costs. Every cost. Whilst this seems obvious and the basic expectation of any successful business, the reality will test us to achieve our budgets and already pay and wastage are both overspent. Having said this, there is one thing that I am certain of and that is we can rise to the challenge.Canary Wharf Partners have proven time and time again how we can work together to achieve our goals.There are also a number of things that we can look forward to this year. The Olym-pics being the main event - we are obvi-ously located in the heart of this year’s event, so what a wonderful experience that will be and for many, a once in a lifetime opportunity.So my final message will be the challenge for this year. Driving every possible sale whilst controlling every cost. We all have the responsibility to make this happen. Every pound that we turn to profit will ef-fectively help our bonus next year. Thank youJared HughesDM Retail Services

2 THEINFORMER,March 2012

TWO Partners celebrating 25 years in the Partner-ship were chosen to open the 2012 Bonus envelope to mark their anniversary and achievement.Home's Jill Williams and Food Operations' Gil-lian Wilson took to the stage, Wednesday 7 March, where Partners in the PDR were 'surprised and delighted' after the pair revealed a 14 per cent Bo-nus figure. Across Canary Wharf Partners cheered

the news that they would be sharing a bonus pot of £165.2m.“I am always pleased with the Bonus," said Food Ser-vice's Hasnat Sarwar, "it is not something you would find in any other company. I see it as a re-ward for the hard work we have put in throughout the year."And while the 2012 bo-nus - equivalent to seven week's extra pay for every Partner in the business

- was down on 2011's fig-ure, Partners were pleased given the current state of the economy. Steak & Oyster Bar's Akeam Easy acknowledged this, saying: “The bonus is not too bad, and it is to be expected in the midst of this tough economic climate.”

*The detail that sits behind the the result can be found in the Gazette dated the 7/3/12

Bonus figure revealed

“I will be putting some of the money towards a holi-day to the Philippines and the rest I will be saving.”- Cheryl, Home 2.

“I will be putting it towards my trip to South America for my family reunion.”- Melvin, Fresh Food.

“I will be using some of my bonus to purchase a MacBook Pro.”-Hasnat, Food Service.

The Partner Voice Forum is responsible for short listing our nominated causes. We advertise 3 causes on the shop floor over a four week period. Customers vote for their preferred cause by placing a community matters token into the relevant box. At the end of each month, the tokens are weighed and a budget of £1000 is divided accordingly.

For more information with regards to Com-munity Matters, please see Terri Boyce, Branch Community Matters Champion.

In February we donated to the following causes:

Mudchute Nursery - £392

Stephen Hawkins School - £327

Stepney Friendship Centre - £281

Community Matters.

Community Matters is an initiative to en-able branches to support local communi-ties. Each month, every Waitrose branch donates £1,000 (£500 in Convenience shops) between three local good causes that our customers choose.

THEINFORMER,March 2012 3

By the time you read this article you will know exactly what your 14 per cent bonus is worth - that is, after the tax man gets his hands on some of it! I sense from the response the Partners present in the PDR at the opening of the envelope that everybody was sur-prised and also delighted with the level of bonus this

year. When you consider the the economic climate and that both divisions, although taking more money, made £38 million less operating profit, the bonus at 14% is outstanding.But lets be clear: The results for our busi-ness in challenging times has been outstanding, and all of you have played your

part in ensuring that it is fit and able to share with us £165 million pounds.So well done and thank you for your hard work and support in the last year. Enjoy spending your well earned bonus, and here’s to achieving even better results in 2013!

Russell CatellBranch Manager

How will you be enjoying your bonus?

PREPARATIONS are already underway for this year’s Partner Survey which will be taking place between 16 April and 8 May. Survey is an oppor-tunity for every single Partner in the business to have their say by

answering a series of questions and mak-ing any comment you wish. Your survey is remained anonymous as the only reference on the form is the branch number and a code to identify branch departments for the

results. Commenting on our business by completing the Survey helps shape branch plans to make Canary Wharf an even bet-ter place to work. It is also considered at Forum and Council level to change our

business for the better too. Managers will be discussing Survey with Partners in the coming weeks and as the start date approaches look out for advertising and information on notice boards and the TV.

Survey to shape branch plans

LAST month it was announced that Shan Miah, ASM Food Operation, would be the branch’s Wait-rose Forum repre-sentative for Canary Wharf.After winning the Partner ballot, Shan will represent branch Partners at group level, raising issues that affect people day-to-day in Canary Wharf with colleagues from branches across London.“I am very excited to have been voted Fo-rum representative,”

says Shan. “I thank all of you that have sup-ported me. I am thor-oughly enjoying the role but realise that with this role comes a huge responsibility. I will endeavour to do the best job that I can to represent the views of Canary Wharf at the Forum. In these very challenging times we have to maintain a successful business but ensuring that we have happy workforce to achieve this. My aim will be to ensure that we achieve a bal-ance of both.”

Partners vote for forum representative

4 THEINFORMER,March 2012

Shan Miah, ASM, Food Ops.

BRANCH trade and travel will be sig-nificantly affected this summer as mil-lions of people visit East London for the Olympic and Para-lympics Games. As London plays host to a summer of sport between 27 July and 9 September, 60 per cent of visitors will

travel from the South East of England, prompting a knock-on effect for Partners. Travel routes around the capital are set to face the burden of eight million extra commuters during the Games, with the Jubi-lee Underground line, DLR and East London road networks predict-

ed to take the brut of extra journeys. In addi-tion to delays during to the daily commute to work, Partners may also notice that home-bound journeys in the afternoon and evening are also lengthened - at peak times it is predicted that you will queue for half an hour before getting on a

Tube train at Canary Wharf. Information will be released soon to help Partners decide how they’ll adapt their travel, but Partners are also reminded to dis-cuss plans with their manager as everyone is responsible for their own individual travel plans.

FOR one Canary Wharf Partner, there are no plans to sleep through his imminent long leave. After 25 years’ service with the Partnership, there are some who would say that ASM Operations Clay Pas-cal is due for a rest. But he’s gearing him-self up for an action-packed leave instead.He says: “I’ll be pick-ing up my squash racquet and keeping busy. I’ve told my wife I plan to keep up a working day, helping at my church and get-ting outside, doing the gardening.

“If I’m not at home I’ll still be keeping active. I’m going to travel with my wife around Britain, visiting stately homes and National Trust properties, especially in the Lake District – I love the scenery.”A pastor for a south London church, Clay will also spend two weeks in Grenada visiting family and working on com-munity projects with his congregation. “I’ll make sure I hit the ground running when I’m back to work in September!

May I express my sincerest gratitude to those within the branch and registry, who I have received help and sym-pathies for the recent loss of my mother.

Steve YoungSM Ambient

Words alone cannot express our sympathy on the untimely death of Jennifer Kerwood last month. She is sorely missed by all who loved and knew her.I would like to thank everyone for their tremendous show of support and solidarity in her family’s time of need.

Fil MineroSM Hospitality

Thank you to all, within branch and registry, who have helped me through the loss of my mother. It is greatly appreciated.

Tony TallHospitality

PartnerMessages

THEINFORMER,March 2012 5

Partner prepares for long leave

Olympics to impact on travel times

Clay Pascal, ASM Home Ops.

THE ‘centre of the branch’ is set to become the centre of attention this year as the Dining Room dons its glad rags and hosts some extra-special meals. PDR Partners are planning to inject some excitement and glamour into meal times by offering a se-ries of special ‘Theme Days’ over the coming

months. The excite-ment began earlier this month when moth-ers were pampered in honour of Mother’s Day. Partners pushed the boat out for their mums by surprising them with a three-course meal, massage and even a beauty treatment, which went down a treat.Food Service’s Maria

Guildford (mother to Michelle Walker) said: “It was very nice and a total surprise,” while Retail Services’ Man-dy McCarthy (mother to James Warner) was also delighted by the surprise. “I really didn’t know anything about it!” she said, “The PDR team have gone to a lot of effort and its lovely”

Branch Cook Terrie Ray said the purpose of the special days will be to bring Partners together.“The dinning room is the centre of the branch where Partners come together. We are introducing themed menus because it is something different for Partners to enjoy.”

PDR Partners set to inject excitment into meal times

James Warner (Food Service) son to Mandy McCarthy (Retail Services) when asked how he kept it a surprise:‘I told Mum I needed to talk to her about some bills and we had to talk today - I knew she would turn up to talk about that!’

Christine Croxford (Personnel) mother to Candice Croxford (Food Ops)‘I think it’s lovely. I was even more surprised when I found out I was getting a massage as well!’

6 THEINFORMER,March 2012

Leisure at YOUR PleasureCan you believe that we are already in the third month of my secondment as Leisure Benefit’s Coordinator? Time really does fly when you are having fun!At the start of my second-ment, I made it my aim to listen to Partners in the branch and act on their suggestions

where possible.To date, I am proud to say that I have organised every-thing that you have asked for. Thank you for your sugges-tions, please keep them com-ing.

Terri BoyceLeisure Benefits Coordinator

Your Monthly Leisure Update.

14 Partners attended Disney on Ice - each Child received a free goody bag.h

14 Partners joined our brand new slimming club

18 Partners attended a special Mothers Day Lunch in order to mark the occasion with their son’s or daughters who also work in the branch.

10 Partners attended a massage session.

6 Partners completed a Rock Wall climb.

Round Up Of The Month

Pay Day Party – 30th March from 6pm at Via, West India QuayDon’t forget to purchase your tickets for The Pay Day Party. A £3.00 ticket entitles you to one free drink and entry into the Via Club after 10pm. There will be dj and karaoke on the night plus 20% off of all food and drink! See you there!

Legoland – 26th May 2012Another fantastic John Lewis Special Event. Partners can enter the theme park from 2pm and will have excluisve access to the park from 5pm – 9pm. £10 for Partners, Spouses and Depend-ants, £20 for guests including free car parking! Please call: 0871 282 9208 to book.

What’s going on?

Coming Soon… Afternoon Tea at The Waldorf Hotel Spa Day at the Reebok Sports Club Weekly Football Sessions GolfingEvent PoleDancingLessons GoKarting

30th March - Pay Day Party (Now Booking)18th April - Rock Off Ages (Now Booking)21st April - Fundraising Motown Party, Hosted by Buckhurst Hill Partner (Now booking)21st April – Kisstory (Fully Booked)13th May - Odney Country Show (Now Booking)26th May – Legoland (Now Booking)8th July - Wireless with Rihanna headlining (Now booking)

Leisure Benefits Coordinator Terri’s Normal working days are Thursdays and Fridays. Terri can be found in the Marketing Office, next to the gents locker room and can be contacted on: 664_lbc@waitrose.co.ukext 31107872099586

THEINFORMER,March 2012 7

Waitrose CanaryWharf

AGM2012

11 APRIL|PDR|6:30PM

Thenightwillinclude,entertainment,DJ,

freebuffetbeverages,reviewoftheyearandtheinfamous

AGMvideo.

tocelebrateoursuccessovertheyear

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��� �������� To contribute contact Holly: 664_marketing@Waitrose.co.uk