John Lewis Logo PNG
Behind the retail emblem lies fashion, elegance, and style. The John Lewis & Partners logo is classic and flawless. Department store products allow you to create any image from scratch. The sign promises a business approach and English pedantry.
John Lewis: Brand overview
| Founded: | 1864 |
| Founder: | John Lewis |
| Headquarters: | London, England, UK |
| Website: | johnlewis.com |
Believe it or not, the UK’s largest retailer, John Lewis & Partners, was once a small textile store. Its creator, John Lewis, was at the forefront of dry goods because we talked about 1864. Over time, he expanded the business, buying several department stores in different cities.
In 1928, the founder’s son, John Spedan Lewis, took over the company. The new leader used an unusual business model, making permanent employees co-owners of shares and shares. The John Lewis network continues operating in the same format and is considered the best workplace.
Meaning and History
John Lewis & Partners’ emblems have always been aristocratic—even the first textile store opened in 1864. This emblem reflects the restrained British style in everything about the vintage brand.
What is John Lewis?
John Lewis is a UK-based general purpose department store chain. It is more than a hundred years old since it appeared in 1864. Its founder is John Lewis, after whom it was named.
1864 – 1930
In the beginning, the company was known as John Lewis & Co, which became the basis for its logo. A coherent handwritten font was used for the name, where each letter was connected to its neighbors. Under the diagonal line, below was the first department store’s address: OXFORD ST., LONDON W. I.
1925 – 1940
In 1925, another emblem appeared, but without an address. The phrase “JOHN LEWIS & Co.” was written in an elegant typeface with varying line and serif weights.
1940 – 1956
The brand name changed again in the middle of the 20th century, although the concept remained unchanged. The first letters (“J” and “L”) have been lengthened and aligned in height. At the bottom was the inscription “AND COMPANY LIMITED,” divided into two parts.
1956 – 1960
Another change in the emblem took place in 1956. For the phrase “JOHN LEWIS,” the designers chose a strict bold type with large rectangular serifs. The second line (“OF OXFORD ST., LONDON W. I.”) was written in small sans serif letters.
1960 – 1972
In 1960, the address disappeared, and an imitation of a handwritten font replaced the geometric serif. All letters except “J” and “L” have become lowercase.
1972 – 1990
In the logo of 1972-1990. the font for the “John Lewis” lettering has been revised. This time, the developers used the classic Gill Sans Bold.
1990 – 2000
At the end of the 20th century, the company’s name began to be written in capital letters with short serifs. Black was replaced by green, which is now known as Partner Green. Spedan Lewis used to sign documents with this shade of ink.
2000 – 2018
The design firm Pentagram has slightly changed the character style. She brought back the Gill Sans Bold as in the 1972-1990 emblem but made the lines thinner, rounded the dot above the “i,” and cut off each word’s first letters’ edges. The classic green color has been preserved.
2018 – today
In June, the retail chain announced a name change. The executives added “Partners” to the name to draw attention to the unique business structure that makes its employees co-owners. Following the rebranding, the logo was modernized. Harry Pearce from Pentagram Studio offered his vision of a new style.
The design work took over three years. The result is a graphic sign with the words “John Lewis & Partners” in a black square. On the left, there are three quadrangles of different widths. Lined up in a row, they resemble a barcode, consistent with the concept of a chain of stores.
John Lewis: Interesting Facts
John Lewis is a well-known store in the UK, famous for its high-quality products, great customer service, and unique ownership.
- History: John Lewis started with a single store in London in 1864, still open. It has grown into a big chain with many stores all over the UK.
- Ownership: The cool thing about John Lewis is that its employees own the company. They’re called partners and share in the profits, which helps make the customer service good.
- Price Promise: Since 1925, John Lewis has promised not to be beaten on price, matching competitors’ prices to give customers the best value.
- Christmas Ads: Every year, John Lewis releases a Christmas ad that people in the UK love. These ads are known for their stories, emotions, and beautiful music.
- More than Just Stores: John Lewis also owns Waitrose, a fancy grocery chain offering customers various products and services.
- Leading the Way: John Lewis has always tried new things, like being the first UK store with an escalator and starting to sell online early on.
- Charity at Christmas: The company’s famous Christmas ads also help raise money and awareness for different charities.
- Benefits of Partnership: John Lewis employees have a say in the business, share in the profits, and receive bonuses, which makes them feel more connected and successful.
John Lewis represents the best British stores, known for its employee-owned model, customer dedication, and innovative ideas.
Font and Colors
The current emblem, Brand Lines, is based on an original design from the 1960s that Peter Hatch and Hans Schleger designed specifically for the John Lewis Partnership. The Pentagram designers tried to keep the aspect ratio to make the rectangles look vintage. Abstraction presents John Lewis as a universal brand that is not tied to any particular product.
The chain store’s latest logos use various modifications of the Gill font. The final version features thin strokes and large letter spacing. Pentagram created the typography. She also chose a color palette, preferring the classics—black and white monochrome.
FAQ
Why has the John Lewis logo changed?
The brand changed its logo to support its goals and highlight its unique employee ownership model. The new logo, called ‘Brandlines,’ is inspired by a pattern created by Peter Hatch for the John Lewis Partnership in the 1960s.
The updated logo elevates and aligns the brand’s identity with modern ambitions. The redesign emphasizes the employee ownership model, which empowers employees and fosters a sense of collective responsibility.
Who designed the John Lewis logo?
The agency Pentagram redesigned the John Lewis logo. The new logo shows the company’s employee-owned nature. For the first time, John Lewis, Waitrose, and the John Lewis Partnership share the same visual identity.
Pentagram’s design emphasizes the unique ownership model, fostering a sense of collective responsibility and employee empowerment.
The redesign modernizes the brand while maintaining its historical roots. It uses precise proportions and elements inspired by past designs to create a cohesive and contemporary look. This approach ensures the logo reflects John Lewis’s tradition and forward-thinking nature.
What does the John Lewis logo mean?
The logo has a deep meaning. The design resembles a barcode, showing that the company is a retail business. Barcodes in stores reinforce the idea of shopping and the store’s range of items.
The word “Partners” in the logo is important, too. It shows that employees are co-owners of the business. This part of the logo emphasizes the company’s model of giving shares to employees. This creates a sense of ownership, responsibility, and motivation among the staff, leading to a positive and inclusive work environment.
This logo represents the brand’s retail nature and employee partnership model.
Is John Lewis a PLC or a partnership?
The company’s full name is John Lewis Partnership PLC. “Partnership” is part of the brand name, and its legal status is a Public Limited Company (PLC). As a PLC, it is publicly traded and follows specific regulations for public companies.
The “Partnership” in the name is significant because it reflects the company’s unique business model. Employees are treated as partners and own a portion of the company, creating a sense of ownership and inclusion. Each employee shares in the profits and has a say in the business.
The brand is legally a PLC, and the “Partnership” name highlights its unique employee-ownership model, setting it apart from other businesses.
What font is John Lewis?
The logo uses a sleek, classic sans serif typeface from the Gill Sans category. This font is known for its clean and modern look, making it a popular choice for many brands due to its readability and timeless design.
This typeface in the logo conveys elegance and simplicity. It matches the brand’s focus on quality and reliability. The clean lines of the Gill Sans font make the logo easy to recognize and professional.
Is John Lewis Ltd?
The John Lewis retail chain is a PLC for Public Limited Company. This means the company is publicly traded and follows specific regulations for public corporations. Shareholders can buy and sell shares on the stock market.
As a PLC, John Lewis is larger and more transparent than private companies. This status allows John Lewis to raise capital from public investors for expansion and improvement. The brand has a unique partnership model where employees are co-owners, sharing profits and participating in decisions. This mix of being publicly traded and having an employee-ownership model makes the brand unique in the retail sector.
