The John Lewis Partnership has announced that it will be introducing a technology “incubator” called JLab which will offer start-up companies floorspace and advice as part of a quest to find new digital innovations to bring its customers.

The move is part of the firm’s 150 year celebrations, which kick off in May, with the incubation period running from June until September.

Andy Street, managing director of John Lewis, said: “The Partnership's founder, John Spedan Lewis, was a radical entrepreneur and so adopting a novel approach to business and retail innovation is not new to us, it's a fundamental part of our DNA.

“Our 150 year anniversary not only gives us the chance to reflect on our history, but to look forward at how we shape the next 150 years. We have been ahead of the game in omnichannel retailing and through our JLAB incubator we will nurture the next generation of technology start-ups while helping ensure we remain on the cutting-edge of retail change.”

Paul Coby, IT director at John Lewis, said: “As a big business we have a certain way of doing things and this is a chance to inject some of the spirit of a 'start-up'. As this is an in-house project the companies will have regular input and help from the mentor team to ensure all ideas are aligned with our brand values, whilst fulfilling the strategic innovation brief.”

At the end of the incubation period, JLab will announce the overall winner. John Lewis will invest £50k into the winning company, which will also be matched by technology entrepreneur Stuart Marks. They will get the chance to trial their solution and should this be a success, their solution will be implemented across the John Lewis estate.

Andrew Murphy, retail director at John Lewis and executive sponsor for the initative said: “The innovation focus we are looking for needs to help provide our customers with the most coherent, cross-channel shopping experience possible. We know customers really value being able to shop with John Lewis by phone, in shops and online and anything which enhances or simplifies that experience is of interest to us.

“What I'm looking for from the successful JLab applicants is deliverable but stretching innovation which offers real benefit for customers in both our bricks and clicks businesses.”