What John Lewis’ 14,000 strong recruitment campaign says about retail recruitment in 2025.

John Lewis & Partners is Hiring 13,700 Christmas Roles… here’s what that says about retail recruitment as 2025 draws to a close:

Here at McCarthy, we’re retail recruitment experts of 20 years. We know that every year, retail gears up for the “golden quarter”: the vital trading period that spans the run-up to Christmas and the January sales.

This year, the John Lewis Partnership has launched its biggest ever seasonal recruitment campaign, hiring 13,700 people across John Lewis, Waitrose & Partners and supply chain operations.

What the Numbers Tell Us:
✨ 3,000 roles in John Lewis stores
✨8,500 roles in Waitrose
✨2,200 roles in warehouses and logistics

With more than 30 million shoppers expected and warehouses dispatching over two deliveries every second, this scale of hiring highlights a crucial point: retail success at peak times depends on strong teams and the right infrastructure.

It’s the people on the ground who turn strategy into results.

We know that preparing for peak isn’t just about headcount: it’s about building resilient, agile teams that can deliver consistently under pressure.

From customer experience on the floor to the operational excellence of supply chains, the strength of your teams is what underpins performance when demand surges.

CLIENTS: Need help with your talent pipeline as we get closer to peak season? Retail’s our bread and butter. Let us help: https://lnkd.in/erUjSxJe

CANDIDATES: Looking for your next big move? Want to start 2026 in your dream job? We’ve got you: https://lnkd.in/eQycNTSY

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