John Lewis

"Never knowlingly undersold"

Meaning, of course, that if you do find an item cheaper elsewhere, they will refund you the difference.

It is best known to myself, and many Londoners as the one shop on Oxford Street which refuses to entertain any of this late opening nonesense.

Not sexy or glamorous, but sturdy, reliable and with a reputation for quality that your mother would like, it is the Volvo of department stores.

It's almost run in the same manner as a government agency. Not quite all that efficiently, but it gets things done. And the staff don't always seem to care.

The staff are known as 'partners' - because, as noded above, they own a share in the company. They have their own Partners' Entrance, Partners' Canteen (very cheap and very tasty food is served here - they do treat their staff well), I even spotted a toilet for "Cleaning Partners Only".

Their "Never Knowingly Undersold" policy allegedly involves negotiating deals with suppliers so that they can get better margins than anyone else. Buying is handled by comittees for each store - it ain't centralised. This is where the civil service aspect comes into play.

While they're open on Sundays (here in Glasgow, at least), they're closed on Mondays. An exception is made in the run-up to the Christmas period, when they're open until about 4.

Until very recently, the chain didn't accept credit cards, but I believe this is changing.

Oh, and if you want to buy some electrical goods, do it here. Not only will you get the best price anyone else happens to be offering, but they'll throw in a pretty good extended warranty, for free.

http://www.john-lewis-partnership.co.uk/

The African American Lewis distinguished himself with his more than 60 year career in jazz. He innovated the synergy of jazz and classical music discipline to create the distinctive and enduring MJQ sound. His mission to take jazz from the back-room bars to the fine concert halls of the world was supported by his insistence that all members of the quartet dress well, in tuxedoes.

He is the composer of several noted jazz standards, including Django, and Two Degrees East, Three Degrees West.