John Lewis is embarking on its largest seasonal hiring effort ever as it seeks to enhance customer experience during the holiday season.
- The retailer plans to recruit 12,500 additional staff members across its departments, including Waitrose and John Lewis stores.
- A vast majority of new roles will support peak shopping times, such as Black Friday and the Christmas period.
- Positions span a range of functions, from supermarket assistants to warehouse workers in the supply chain.
- This recruitment drive is in response to unprecedented shopper turnout and a commitment to personalized service.
In an ambitious move, John Lewis has announced a massive seasonal recruitment campaign, aiming to hire 12,500 extra staff members. This effort marks their largest ever seasonal hiring initiative, designed to meet the demands of the upcoming holiday season and improve customer service in what is anticipated to be the busiest period yet.
The recruitment effort includes 4,100 new jobs across the Waitrose and John Lewis stores, as well as their distribution network. This is a significant increase from last year, driven by record shopper numbers and a firm commitment to enhance the customer experience through increased staffing.
The recruitment plan focuses on the ‘golden quarter,’ which includes major shopping events like Black Friday, Christmas, and the John Lewis Winter Sale in January. These times are known for high consumer activity, and the additional staff will play a crucial role in maintaining smooth operations during these peaks.
Waitrose is set to begin hiring for 7,700 seasonal positions across more than 300 locations. These roles will include supermarket assistants, night shift workers, and customer delivery drivers, all vital for meeting the increased holiday demands.
Additionally, John Lewis is already in the process of recruiting for 2,000 temporary roles across its 34 stores, with only a few positions still unfilled. The hiring extends to their supply chain, with 2,800 roles available for warehouse workers and drivers to ensure efficient logistics and customer delivery.
Charlotte Lock, Customer Director at John Lewis Partnership, expressed excitement about the interest shown in these roles. ‘Whether making sure you’re choosing the right headphones or wanting inspirational food ideas for entertaining, we know customers value the independent, trusted advice they get from our partners and that friendly, personal touch,’ she said, highlighting the importance of personal interaction in their customer service strategy.
The recruitment drive by John Lewis signifies a strategic adaptation to an anticipated surge in customer demand during the holiday season.
