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Bloomberg
John Lewis Partnership Plc is hiring more than 10,000 temporary workers across the UK to meet demand over the crucial Christmas period.
That’s 3,000 more than the department store chain hired in its festive push last year and all employees will receive free food from October to January to help with the higher cost of living, the retailer said in a statement. John Lewis offered free food to workers last year as well.
Some 2,000 temporary workers will be added across the 34 John Lewis stores in the UK while 4,000 will join the company’s upmarket grocer Waitrose. Another 4,000 roles are available in the company’s supply chain including warehouse workers and drivers.
Christmas this year is likely to be a test as shoppers look to save money on gifts due to soaring energy bills and the broader cost-of-living crisis. John Lewis said earlier this month that Brits are already buying Christmas trees and baubles, with sales tripling in comparison to last year’s summer, perhaps because shoppers are trying to lock in purchases before prices rise further.
John Lewis has had to shut stores and cut costs to stay competitive under Chairman Sharon White. The company suspended its bonus last year for the first time in more than seven decades. In March the retailer resumed the payout and boosted pay for staff who co-own the business as John Lewis reported record sales.