// John Lewis will source all leather for its sofas from Waitrose farms
// All farms used for the material are British
John Lewis has revealed that 100% of the leather used to make its own-range sofas and chairs will be taken from higher welfare farms that supply Waitrose beef.
The move is one way the department store is lowering its environmental impact across supply chains.
The news comes after the circular design launch of John Lewis mattresses in 2021, which used wool from Waitrose farms that would otherwise have been wasted.
John Lewis Partnership director of ethics and sustainability Marija Rompani said: “Running a department store and a supermarket gives us a unique ability to connect our two businesses and innovate.
“We saw an opportunity to use the leather being produced by our Waitrose farmers and use it to create beautifully crafted, high quality pieces of furniture that will last.”
She continued: “By applying the same principles into our leather as we do with the products we stock on the shelf at Waitrose, we can offer the public a range of sofas and chairs using British sourced, higher welfare leather that’s distinct from anything else on the market”.
The leather is taken from British farms which supply Waitrose.
In a recent survey by OnePoll, it was revealed that 73% of customers said the welfare of animals produced for meat was important to them, while 89% said it was important to them to purchase British sourced items.
However, 85% of adults surveyed said they owned leather items, and 80% revealed they didn’t know whether their leather came from a British farm.
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Rompani said: “Everyone has the right to a sustainable choice no matter what they’re buying, but what this research shows is there’s a lot more work to be done to help shoppers make informed choices when buying certain products.
“Whether it is everyday household staples or larger items, these all have a social and environmental impact – but knowing what to look for isn’t always as easy as it should be.
“This is why we try to source all key materials used for our products to more sustainable standards to make it easy for our customers to make more informed choices”.
John Lewis head of furniture Nicola Waller said the leather was “a durable, practical and tactile material”.
“It ages beautifully, creating a weathered look that is simply timeless, and a perfect long term investment for the home. What makes our collection extra special is knowing that the material has come from British farms that practise the higher welfare standards that we know our customers will love”.
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