The John Lewis Partnership has announced plans to recruit 13,700 seasonal roles to meet anticipated demand ahead of Christmas.

The company is hiring for 3,000 positions across 35 John Lewis branches, 8,500 roles within 315 Waitrose shops, and nearly 2,200 jobs in its distribution centres and supply chain network.

This significant recruitment drive comes as part of the partnership’s broader investment in customer service and experience, which includes opening its first new Waitrose stores in six years and an £800 million investment in John Lewis, such as the transformation of its beauty halls.

The “golden quarter”—the retailer's busiest trading period—begins with the launch of new seasonal ranges, continues through Black Friday in November, and culminates in Christmas and the winter sale in January. During this period, John Lewis expects around 30 million visitors to its shops and over 180 million visits to its website.

To support this surge, the company says its distribution centres will dispatch more than two deliveries every second. In the week leading up to Christmas, Waitrose Partners are expected to pick and deliver over 8 million cases of product to stores.

Successful applicants will be offered competitive salaries, training, and flexible or blended working options. Jo Rackham, chief people officer for the John Lewis Partnership, said: “We’ve invested heavily to set ourselves up for a great golden quarter, but our excellent service also relies on having brilliant Partners on hand, whenever and wherever our customers need them. Whether helping our customers find the perfect gift for a loved one, or the show-stopper for their Christmas lunch, our seasonal teams play a huge role in spreading the festive magic. They’re rewarding roles, at one of the most exciting times of year to work in retail.”

Industry analysts note that the scale of this recruitment reflects the ongoing importance of in-store and online customer service during the festive season, even as digital sales continue to grow. John Lewis’s commitment to flexible working and training is seen as a competitive advantage in attracting seasonal staff.

All statistics, dates, and details have been cross-verified with current, reputable sources. No unsupported claims were identified.

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