The John Lewis Partnership is set to hire a record number of temporary staff for the upcoming Christmas season, highlighting an increase in recruitment efforts compared to the previous year.
- This year, John Lewis plans to recruit 12,500 seasonal workers, marking an increase of 4,100 positions from last year’s recruitment numbers.
- The recruitment drive includes 2,000 roles within John Lewis stores, with a substantial portion of recruitment efforts already in progress.
- Waitrose, a part of the John Lewis Partnership, will contribute to the recruitment efforts with 7,700 roles across its locations.
- An additional 2,800 temporary positions will be allocated to the partnership’s supply chain to support a surge in online orders.
In a significant move to bolster its workforce for the crucial pre-Christmas period, the John Lewis Partnership has announced plans to recruit 12,500 temporary staff across the United Kingdom. This initiative reflects a strategic response to the projected increase in consumer demand during what is traditionally referred to as the ‘golden quarter.’ The recruitment target has seen a considerable rise, with an additional 4,100 roles compared to the prior year.
A focus remains on timely recruitment, as evidenced by the current efforts to fill 2,000 positions available at the 34 John Lewis stores nationwide. The partnership has reported that only a limited number of vacancies remain, indicating a strong interest in these roles. This recruitment drive is part of the overarching strategy to ensure that the customer experience remains seamless during the holiday season.
Moreover, the partnership’s grocery chain, Waitrose, is also heavily involved in this hiring spree. The recruitment of 7,700 seasonal roles, which includes positions for supermarket assistants, night shift workers, and customer delivery drivers, is set to commence shortly. These roles are spread across 300 Waitrose locations, highlighting the company’s commitment to maintaining high service levels throughout the festive period.
In addition to the retail positions, the John Lewis Partnership is preparing to enhance its supply chain capabilities by employing 2,800 temporary staff. This recruitment effort is crucial for addressing the expected surge in online orders through Waitrose.com and JohnLewis.com. Warehouse workers and drivers will form the backbone of this operation, ensuring efficient order processing and delivery.
The significance of these recruitment efforts is underscored by the comments of Charlotte Lock, the John Lewis Partnership Customer Director. She noted the company’s dedication to providing trusted advice and personalised service, qualities that the company believes are central to its enduring appeal. In her words, ‘We’re thrilled by the interest the roles have already received and that people want to be part of the excitement that surrounds our two brands at Christmas.’
The extensive recruitment drive by John Lewis underlines its proactive approach to meeting seasonal demand and ensuring customer satisfaction.
