John Lewis and Waitrose to hire more than 10,000 Christmas staff
- JLP wants to recruit for more than 2,800 seasonal posts at its Waitrose outlets
- It is also looking to recruit for over 2,900 temporary roles at John Lewis stores
- The employee-owned retailer has recorded three consecutive annual losses
The John Lewis Partnership has launched a recruitment drive aimed at hiring over 10,000 people ahead of the Christmas holidays.
Britain’s largest employee-owned retailer wants to recruit for more than 2,800 seasonal positions at its 329 Waitrose stores, including supermarket assistants, night shift staff, and customer delivery drivers.
It also hopes to fill another 2,700 short-term posts in its supply chain through employment agencies, such as delivery drivers and warehouse workers.
Black Friday and Christmas represent the peak trading seasons for JLP, which has traditionally engaged in a significant autumn hiring spree to help cope with the elevated demand
On top of that, the group is looking to recruit for over 2,900 temporary sales and merchandising posts across its 34 John Lewis outlets and 1,700 full-time jobs at both Waitrose and John Lewis in a ‘variety of roles.’
Black Friday and Christmas represent the peak trading seasons for John Lewis, which has traditionally engaged in a significant autumn hiring spree to help cope with the elevated demand.
In 2022, the business sought to recruit more than 10,000 temporary workers for the festive period, promising the added perk of free food between October and early January amidst the cost-of-living crisis.
But according to The Telegraph, the free meals won’t be offered this year.
Lisa Cherry, JLP’s executive director of people, remarked: ‘We’re hugely proud of the way our two brands have become part of the excitement that surrounds Christmas, and this is a great opportunity to be at the heart of that at such a special time.
‘Our customers are at the forefront of everything we do; we want to deliver a great festive season for them with inspirational products and the very best customer service courtesy of our brilliant partners.’
John Lewis’ recruitment campaign comes at a challenging time for the retailer, which has posted three consecutive annual losses due to the coronavirus pandemic, online competition and inflationary pressures.
For the 12 months ending 28 January, the group reported a worse-than-expected £234million loss after costs surged by almost £180million and Waitrose stores incurred a massive write-down on their value.
It meant the company was unable to reward employees with a yearly bonus for only the second time since 1953.
Dame Sharon White, the partnership’s chairman, has faced severe doubts over her future, with the retailer’s partnership council voting against her performance last year at a meeting in May, although they supported her mandate.
The following month, she pledged to return the business to profit by 2026 and said staff bonuses will only return ‘when affordable.’
She is spearheading a turnaround plan that includes relaunching the Partnership credit card, investing in build-to-rent properties and reducing £900million of costs through job cuts and store closures.
JLP intends to build 10,000 homes for rent as part of a goal to earn 40 per cent of profits from outside retail by the end of this decade.
