Late payment 'Hall of Shame' entries 2005
John Lewis
Those efficient folk at John Lewis took it upon themselves in November 2005 to completely review settlement terms across the entire business. Bravo! Achieving a ‘standard approach' applied in a ‘consistent manner' for all suppliers would mean an even playing field for them all. So those firms that weren't already complying were asked to knock 3% off their invoices if they wanted them paying on time.
 
Betterware
In August 2005 Betterware informed suppliers that for the honour of receiving payment in 7 days they would enforce a 7% discount on invoices. They also expected prices to be frozen for 12 months.
 
Homebase
In January 2005 Homebase demanded that all suppliers provide all stock fill for new stores free of charge. This would include up to 20 new stores over 12 months.
The firm also insisted upon a contribution towards the value of stores in their redevelopment programme in 40 locations. Homebase decided it would dictate how much each supplier paid, to be debited from suppliers' accounts.
 
To add insult to injury, Homebase decided that its 10% days had been so successful that they were going to make suppliers pay for it.
 
The final demand was that they would reward themselves for the prompt payment of suppliers by deducting 4 percent from invoices that were paid on time! 
 
Argos
Argos entered the Hall of Shame in 2005 when it insisted suppliers remained silent about its enforced changes to payment terms, telling them in a letter: "It goes without saying that all discussions that take place between us are confidential. Under no circumstances should any information that is provided to you by us be disclosed by any third party."