Major high street retailers including M&S, Tesco, Boots, Sainsbury's, Argos and John Lewis have launched Christmas recruitment drives, with thousands of seasonal roles now open for applications.
The festive period is one of the busiest times of the year for the high street, and retailers are anticipating demand by hiring temporary staff across stores, warehouses and distribution centres. Seasonal roles are often seen as a good way to find part-time work, and in some cases can lead to full-time employment, depending on the retailer and the positions available.
This year, many of the applications now open are available to people of all ages and backgrounds, whether they are looking to start a career in retail or earn extra money during the holidays.
M&S and Tesco Recruitment
M&S has announced it is recruiting 11,000 new colleagues for Christmas. Applications are open for customer assistant roles across retail and Foodhall outlets, with pay starting from £13.41 per hour and successful applicants starting from as early as October 25. Training, tools and support will be provided.
Thinus Keeve, Retail Director at M&S, said: “Our brilliant store colleagues play such an important part in delivering the magic of M&S at Christmas, and we’re looking forward to welcoming 11,000 new colleagues to teams this year. Christmas is busy, fast-moving and a really exciting time to join M&S. We’ll give new colleagues the training, tools and support they need to get up to speed quickly. What matters most is bringing energy, curiosity and a real commitment to doing the right thing for our customers and working as part of the team.”
Tesco has launched a recruitment drive to employ more than 28,000 temporary colleagues across the UK. Roles will mainly be based in larger Superstores and Extra stores, involving serving customers or picking orders for Grocery Home Delivery. Shifts are available across early morning and evening, with a small number of picking roles at distribution centres. Some temporary jobs may become permanent after Christmas, depending on where positions become available.
Ela Golab, Tesco Group People Services Director, said: “We’re excited to be recruiting festive colleagues to help make it a season to remember for our customers. We are looking for people who can bring warmth, enthusiasm and a helpful service to every shopping trip. We’re also keen to hear from applicants who may want to stay with us after Christmas and begin building a career at Tesco. No day is ever the same, and festive colleagues will be able to feel the impact they make on every shift, as they send customers home with a smile. What's more, no experience is necessary - just the right attitude.”
Boots and Sainsbury's Roles
Boots has said Christmas is its “busiest time of the year” and is looking to fill 6,000 roles across its stores nationwide. Positions are available across 1,800 stores, warehouses and customer support centres, with candidates of all ages urged to apply, including young people and first-time job seekers. Seasonal colleagues can get benefits such as competitive hourly pay, colleague discount, and savings on cinema tickets and holidays.
Donna Hodgins, Director of Talent Acquisition at Boots, said: “For many people, the festive season can be the perfect opportunity to gain valuable workplace experience, build confidence and develop skills that will support them throughout their careers. Colleagues who join us over this period become an integral part of our team during one of the most exciting times of the year for retail. These roles provide hands-on experience in customer service, operations and teamwork, and for many people can be the first step on a longer-term career journey with Boots.”
Sainsbury's and Argos have announced a nationwide Christmas recruitment drive with 17,500 roles available as fixed-term contracts ranging from four to 12 weeks. At Sainsbury's, roles are available across supermarkets, convenience stores and warehouses, while Argos is hiring across its stores and online operations. Hourly rates vary by location, with in-store jobs starting from £13.23-£14.54 per hour, driver jobs ranging from £14.23-£15.54 per hour, and driver jobs ranging from £14.73-£16.04 per hour.
Tracey Clements, Chief Retail, Logistics and Supply Chain Officer at Sainsbury's, said: “Christmas is always a special time for our customers and colleagues and our seasonal team members help make it happen. We look forward to welcoming thousands of new colleagues who will help us deliver great-tasting festive food, brilliant service and fantastic value across our stores, fulfilment centres and delivery operations. Whether someone is joining us for the first time or returning for another Christmas, they’ll play an important role in helping customers celebrate.”
John Lewis Seasonal Jobs
John Lewis is hiring for its “golden quarter” through its John Lewis Partnership programme, with more than 10,400 seasonal roles available. Of these, 6,000 will be across Waitrose supermarkets, 2,600 across John Lewis shops, and 1,800 across distribution centres and supply chains. The firm says its seasonal roles are “particularly popular amongst young candidates”, with data highlighting that one million young people in the UK are currently not in education, employment, or training (NEET).
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. 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.”
More information on roles and pay can be found on the respective retailers' careers pages.
