John Lewis Partnership to recruit ‘record’ 12,500 seasonal roles

The John Lewis Partnership (JLP) has revealed it is recruiting a record 12,500 temporary roles across the country – 4,100 more jobs compared with last year – as customer numbers hit record levels and it doubles down on its commitment to customer experience.

The roles, comprising those in Waitrose and John Lewis shops as well as its distribution network, will provide support during the Partnership’s ‘golden quarter’ – with the build up to Black Friday and Christmas, as well as January’s John Lewis Winter Sale, marking its biggest trading period of the year.

Waitrose will start recruiting for 7,700 seasonal roles across more than 300 shops in the coming weeks, including supermarket assistants, night shift workers and customer delivery drivers. Recruitment for 2,000 temporary roles for its 34 John Lewis stores is already underway.

In addition, the Partnership is now recruiting 2,800 roles in its supply chain through the recruitment agencies it works with, including warehouse workers and drivers to support the expected increase in Waitrose.com and John Lewis.com orders.

Charlotte Lock, Customer director at the John Lewis Partnership, said: “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.

“Our Partners have always been at the heart of what sets us apart – 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.”