John Lewis JLAB programme returns, with a twist
The John Lewis Partnership has announced that its retail technology innovation programme, JLAB, will be expanded in 2018.
For the first time in its five-year history, the initiative will run throughout the year rather than as a one-off 12 week programme. There will be three chances in 2018 for both established businesses and startups to participate. Waitrose joined the programme in 2017 and is setting the first challenge this year. It is looking for customer facing, digital propositions that provide customers with advice and inspiration, making it easier for them to lead healthy lifestyles and eat more healthily.
Successful applicants will have access to the likes of advice and mentorship from John Lewis and Waitrose senior leaders, product validation from retail experts and customers, investment from the JLAB fund and office space. John Vary, Futurologist at the John Lewis Partnership, says: “As more and more businesses face digital disruption, it’s increasingly important for the Partnership to stay committed to the ideals of our founder, John Spedan Lewis, by experimenting and nurturing innovation both inside and outside our business."
"This is exactly why we have created a completely new JLAB for 2018. We wanted to take the programme to the next level by launching more events but with a focus on themes we feel are most significant to our customers as well as the future of retail. We’re excited to see the market challenging ideas businesses will put forward.”
JLAB 2018 will be run in association with True. Applications will be made via www.jlab.co.uk, closing at midnight on 25th May. A small group will then be selected to pitch in June. The successful ventures will be announced at a showcase later on in the year. The launch follows on from investments made in 2017, with WeFiFo, which connects home chefs, supper club hosts and professional chefs with paying guests and Exaactly, an intelligent addressing system that aims to put an end to failed deliveries.
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