JOHN Lewis is hiring more than 10,400 workers for Christmas as the retail giant gears up for its busiest time of year.
The roles are being spread across the country, from Edinburgh to Exeter, with 6,000 jobs up for grabs at Waitrose‘s 320 branches and 2,600 at John Lewis‘s 36 shops.
A further 1,800 vacancies will support the firm’s distribution centres and supply chain.
Candidates of all ages are being encouraged to apply, though the seasonal jobs have traditionally proved most popular with younger workers.
Figures from previous years show around three quarters of Christmas joiners have been under 25.
With one million young people across the UK currently not in education, employment or training (NEET), bosses say the roles offer a vital chance to gain workplace skills and get a foot on the career ladder.
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Pay for the seasonal jobs starts at £13.00 an hour, or £14.55 in London, rising to £13.25 and £14.80 respectively after 30 days.
Successful applicants will also get training as well as flexible and blended working options.
As part of a wider drive to help young people, the retailer expects 100 of the new roles to go to care-experienced youngsters through its Building Happier Futures programme.
In June, John Lewis pledged to recruit 1,000 care-experienced young people by 2030, more than doubling its previous target after recognising this group faces some of the toughest barriers to finding work.
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To help as many as possible, the firm will also run 300 welcome visits and 250 job-shadowing placements between now and December.
Every young person who completes a job-shadowing placement will be guaranteed an interview.
Helen Webb, Chief People Officer for the 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.”
She added: “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.”
The so-called “golden quarter” for retailers begins with new seasonal ranges, builds through Black Friday in November, and continues through Christmas and into John Lewis’s January Winter Sale.
Shoppers are already thinking ahead, with John Lewis reporting a spike in online searches for Christmas as soon as the summer holidays end.
To meet demand, particularly from customers looking to spread the cost of Christmas, the John Lewis Christmas Shop launched online on August 27 and is due to open in stores later this month.
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Waitrose’s Christmas range hits shops from September 21, with its Food Lovers Christmas catalogue also going live that day to help customers plan their menus and order early.
Seasonal shop roles will go live at jlpjobs.com/Christmas this month, and those interested can register now and sign up for job alerts.