John Lewis Partnership to recruit for 10,400 seasonal roles for peak trading
The John Lewis Partnership is to recruit for more than 10,400 seasonal roles across the UK as it prepares for peak trading.
Of these, 6,000 will be in Waitrose’s 320 branches, and 2,600 will be in John Lewis’ 36 shops. A further 1,800 positions will be in the retailer’s distribution centres and supply chain.
The partnership said it will recruit people of all ages, but added that roles are usually most popular with young candidates, as around three quarters of the seasonal joiners were under 25 last year.
Subscribe to TRBJohn Lewis said the positions will offer young people a vital opportunity to gain valuable workplace skills and kickstart a career in retail, helping to address the increasing challenges this age group faces in finding work.
The news follows significant investment by the partnership in both shops and new technology, including over £1 billion at Waitrose and £800 million at John Lewis, as it looks to free up staff time to focus on serving customers.
Helen Webb, chief people officer at John Lewis Partnership, said: “These roles appeal to people of all ages and backgrounds, and we’re excited to welcome great candidates across the board. At the same time, we know retail is a vital stepping stone for young people entering the workforce. With youth unemployment remaining a significant challenge, we recognise the role we play in providing meaningful opportunities to learn and grow.
“Our seasonal roles are more than just a job for the festive period; for many, they are a catalyst for building confidence and kickstarting a long-term career. By offering thousands of roles to under-25s and guaranteeing interviews for care-experienced young people, we are actively helping to break down barriers to employment and investing in the future of our communities.”
John Lewis said it expects to recruit 100 young people who have experienced the care system, as part of its Building Happier Futures programme.
To help with the seasonal recruitment, it will offer 300 welcome visits and 250 job shadowing placements between now and December for care-experienced young people. Every young person who completes a job shadowing placement will also be offered a guaranteed interview
In June, the partnership committed to recruiting a further 1,000 care-experienced young people by 2030, in a move that more than doubled its previous target.
