John Lewis Partnership adds 7,000 temporary festive season roles

By

Nigel TAYLOR

Published
Sep 15, 2021

In an optimistic outlook for the upcoming Christmas trading period, The John Lewis Partnership (JLP) is to recruit more than 7,000 temporary seasonal staff across the country — 2,000 more than last year when the festive season was punctuated by lockdowns.

The move, across both its John Lewis and Waitrose brands, is designed “to meet increased demand over the busy festive period and to help customers get what they need to celebrate”, JLP said Wednesday. Hiring will begin from 16 September and into October. 

While the bulk of the positions will go into its 331 Waitrose supermarkets, the department stores will recruit temporary roles in 34 stores, including sales and merchandising positions. 

And despite the balance being tipped towards its supermarkets, given that more John Lewis products are now being sold through Waitrose, it remains strong in proportion to the overall retail hire.

Meanwhile, a major part of a wider recruitment drive will see more than 550 permanent full-time driver and warehouse roles added across its distribution and customer delivery centres. That will be essential, given the current problems retail faces with supply chain issues.

As a hiring incentive, JLP will offer free food and drinks to Partners and temporary workers from 4 October to 31 December "to help ensure we can attract the help we need”.

Nikki Humphrey, People Director at the John Lewis Partnership, said: “We know that as the first Christmas after lockdown, customers will want to make it really special and we're throwing everything we can into helping them celebrate - our festive team will have a crucial role to play. We’re looking for people who can deliver extraordinary service to help customers get what they need to celebrate”.