John Lewis, a prominent retail chain, has unveiled its plan to hire an all-time high of 13,700 seasonal workers for the upcoming Christmas period. The John Lewis Partnership has initiated its largest recruitment drive to date in preparation for the busy holiday shopping season. The seasonal positions will encompass 3,000 roles across 35 John Lewis stores, 8,500 positions in Waitrose shops, and nearly 2,200 opportunities within its warehouses and supply chain network.
Typically, retailers bring on temporary staff to manage the surge in sales during the final quarter of the year, known as the “golden quarter” due to its significance for revenue generation. John Lewis Partnership anticipates around 30 million visits to its stores during this period, with its warehouses projected to process over two deliveries per second.
Despite the challenging trading environment faced by many retailers amidst a cost-of-living crisis, the company is embarking on this extensive recruitment campaign. Similar moves are expected from other retailers, including major supermarkets, to cater to the demand during this expensive time of the year.
Jo Rackham, Chief People Officer at John Lewis Partnership, emphasized the importance of having dedicated staff to deliver exceptional service during the festive season. The company looks forward to offering rewarding roles during one of the most exciting times to work in the retail sector.
The busy period commences with the introduction of new seasonal collections, leading up to Black Friday in November, followed by the Christmas rush and John Lewis’ renowned January Winter Sale. This period marks the busiest time of the year for the retailer.
Successful candidates can look forward to competitive pay, training, and flexible working options. Interested individuals can apply for these seasonal positions on the company’s website at jlpjobs.com/Christmas.
John Lewis Partnership, with approximately 70,000 employees known as “partners” due to its unique ownership structure, where workers share in the company’s profits and have a say in its operations, has not awarded an annual bonus for the third consecutive year. Chairman Jason Tarry expressed his determination to reinstate bonus payments for staff when the business is financially able to do so.