the Informer March 2012
Inside: Partners cheer well earned bonus Plus... 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 running -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 closer to having 100k customers every week - a staggering figure. The economic climate is not our only challenge 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 2
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how we can do it more efficiently. My key message to you is that we ultimately need to increase our sales whilst controlling 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 Olympics being the main event - we are obviously 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 effectively help our bonus next year. Thank you Jared Hughes DM Retail Services
Bonus figure revealed TWO Partners celebrating 25 years in the Partnership were chosen to open the 2012 Bonus envelope to mark their anniversary and achievement. Home's Jill Williams and Food Operations' Gillian 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 Bonus figure. Across Canary Wharf Partners cheered 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 surprised and also delighted with the level of bonus this
the news that they would be sharing a bonus pot of £165.2m. “I am always pleased with the Bonus," said Food Service's Hasnat Sarwar, "it is not something you would find in any other company. I see it as a reward for the hard work we have put in throughout the year." And while the 2012 bonus - equivalent to seven week's extra pay for every Partner in the business 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 business in challenging times has been outstanding, and all of you have played your
Community Matters. Community Matters is an initiative to enable branches to support local communities. Each month, every Waitrose branch donates £1,000 (£500 in Convenience shops) between three local good causes that our customers choose.
How will you be enjoying your bonus?
- was down on 2011's figure, 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.”
“I will be putting it towards my trip to South America for my family reunion.”
- Melvin, Fresh Food.
*The detail that sits behind the the result can be found in the Gazette dated the 7/3/12
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!
“I will be putting some of the money towards a holiday to the Philippines and the rest I will be saving.” - Cheryl, Home 2.
“I will be using some of my bonus to purchase a MacBook Pro.” -Hasnat, Food Service.
Russell Catell Branch Manager
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.
In February we donated to the following causes: Mudchute Nursery - £392 Stephen Hawkins School - £327 Stepney Friendship Centre - £281
For more information with regards to Community Matters, please see Terri Boyce, Branch Community Matters Champion.
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Partners vote for forum representative
Shan Miah, ASM, Food Ops.
LAST month it was announced that Shan Miah, ASM Food Operation, would be the branch’s Waitrose Forum representative 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 Forum representative,”
says Shan. “I thank all of you that have supported me. I am thoroughly 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 balance of both.”
Survey to shape branch plans PREPARATIONS are already underway for this year’s Partner Survey which will be taking place between 16 April and 8 May. Survey is an opportunity for every single Partner in the business to have their say by 4
answering a series of questions and making 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
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results. Commenting on our business by completing the Survey helps shape branch plans to make Canary Wharf an even better 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.
Partner prepares for long leave
Clay Pascal, ASM Home Ops.
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 Pascal is due for a rest. But he’s gearing himself up for an actionpacked leave instead. He says: “I’ll be picking 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 getting 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 community projects with his congregation. “I’ll make sure I hit the ground running when I’m back to work in September!
Olympics to impact on travel times BRANCH trade and travel will be significantly affected this summer as millions of people visit East London for the Olympic and Paralympics 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 knockon effect for Partners. Travel routes around the capital are set to face the burden of eight million extra commuters during the Games, with the Jubilee Underground line, DLR and East London road networks predict-
ed to take the brut of extra journeys. In addition to delays during to the daily commute to work, Partners may also notice that homebound 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 discuss plans with their manager as everyone is responsible for their own individual travel plans.
PartnerMessages May I express my sincerest gratitude to those within the branch and registry, who I have received help and sympathies for the recent loss of my mother.
Thank you to all, within branch and registry, who have helped me through the loss of my mother. It is greatly appreciated.
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.
Tony Tall Hospitality
Fil Minero SM Hospitality
Steve Young SM Ambient
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PDR Partners set to inject excitment into meal times 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 extraspecial meals. PDR Partners are planning to inject some excitement and glamour into meal times by offering a series of special ‘Theme Days’ over the coming
months. The excitement began earlier this month when mothers were pampered in honour of Mother’s Day. Partners pushed the boat out for their mums by surprising them with a threecourse 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’ Mandy 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.”
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
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Leisure at YOUR Pleasure
Round Up Of The Month
Your Monthly Leisure Update.
14 Partners attended Disney on Ice - each Child received a free goody bag. h
Can 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 secondment, 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 everything that you have asked for. Thank you for your suggestions, please keep them coming.
- Pay Day Party - Rock Off Ages - Fundraising Motown Party, Hosted by Buckhurst Hill Partner – Kisstory - Odney Country Show – Legoland - Wireless with Rihanna headlining
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.
Terri Boyce Leisure Benefits Coordinator
6 Partners completed a Rock Wall climb.
What’s going on? 30th March 18th April 21st April 21st April 13th May 26th May 8th July
14 Partners joined our brand new slimming club
(Now Booking) (Now Booking) (Now booking) (Fully Booked) (Now Booking) (Now Booking) (Now booking)
Pay Day Party – 30th March from 6pm at Via, West India Quay Don’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 2012 Another 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 Dependants, £20 for guests including free car parking! Please call: 0871 282 9208 to book.
Coming Soon… Afternoon Tea at The Waldorf Hotel Spa Day at the Reebok Sports Club Weekly Football Sessions Golfing Event Pole Dancing Lessons Go Karting
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.uk ext 311 07872099586
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JOIN US
to celebrate our success over the year
Waitrose Canary Wharf
AGM 2012 11 APRIL | PDR | 6:30PM The night will include, entertainment, DJ, free buffet beverages, review of the year and the infamous AGM video.
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To contribute contact Holly: 664_marketing@Waitrose.co.uk