John Lewis hires 10,400 staff for Christmas trading

Noah Miller 09/09/2026

Preparing for the Peak: John Lewis Partnership Taps 10,400 Staff for the Christmas Rush

As the retail calendar swings toward its most vibrant period, the John Lewis Partnership is gearing up for a massive seasonal push, preparing to welcome more than 10,400 temporary employees across its retail network. This significant recruitment drive signals a major investment strategy designed to ensure seamless service and exceptional customer experience during the crucial Christmas trading period.

The hiring effort is spread across the Partnership’s key brands, focusing on the high-street retail stores and the essential infrastructure that keeps the operation running smoothly. The scale of the staffing requirement is substantial, with 6,000 roles targeted across Waitrose’s 320 locations, 2,600 positions needed at John Lewis’ 36 shops, and a further 1,800 jobs dedicated to the vital distribution centres and supply chain.

This expansion is directly underpinned by substantial financial commitment. The recruitment follows significant investment, including over £1 billion poured into Waitrose and £800 million directed towards upgrading John Lewis stores and technology. Retailers are clearly betting heavily on staffing and supply-chain capacity to maximize potential sales when consumer spending peaks.

While the focus is clearly on operational capacity, the Partnership is also embedding a crucial social mission into this hiring. As part of their Building Happier Futures programme, the scheme is set to provide around 100 positions to young people who have experienced care, ensuring that economic opportunity also serves social good.

For those joining the team, competitive seasonal pay is on offer, starting at £13 an hour and reaching £14.55 in London, reflecting the high demand for dedicated and skilled retail staff. This initiative ensures that the high levels of consumer activity during the ‘golden quarter’—including Black Friday, Christmas, and the January sales—are met with robust staffing and exceptional service.