Marks and Spencer (M&S) has announced plans to hire 11,000 additional workers to manage the busy Christmas period. The popular British retailer is looking to bring on board new customer
assistants to help handle the surge in demand during the festive season, ensuring smooth operations and high-quality service for shoppers. The roles will include helping customers on the shop floor and restocking shelves, supporting M&S stores across the UK.
The recruitment process kicks off on October 9, when prospective applicants can submit their applications via the M&S careers page. Successful candidates will start their roles from mid-November, just in time for the peak holiday shopping season. M&S is offering a variety of positions with flexible working hours to accommodate different schedules. Applicants will go through either a one-on-one interview or a group assessment as part of the hiring process.
This recruitment drive follows a recent wage increase for M&S customer assistants, which took effect on April 1. In line with its commitment to supporting employees, the retailer raised the hourly wage for customer assistants in its food and clothing departments from £10.90 to £12. In London, the pay rate was increased from £12.05 to £13.15 per hour. This wage rise aligns with broader trends in the retail sector, where several leading companies have implemented similar pay increases for shop floor staff.
Sacha Berendji, M&S's operations director, expressed enthusiasm for the holiday season and the impact of new hires: "Our fantastic store colleagues play a vital role in delivering the magic of M&S at Christmas. This year, we’re bringing in even more staff to be closer to our customers. Christmas is always a busy but exciting time at M&S, and no two days are the same."
Berendji also emphasized the potential for long-term career growth within M&S. He noted that many previous recruits from the Christmas season went on to participate in the "Stepping Into Team Manager" program, which provides a pathway for career development within the company. This makes the festive recruitment drive an appealing opportunity for individuals seeking both temporary and long-term employment.
For those interested in joining the M&S team this Christmas, the message is clear: visit the M&S careers website to apply. The company offers flexible roles designed to attract a wide range of applicants, offering both short-term and potential long-term job opportunities.
Record Festive Food Orders Expected
In addition to its recruitment efforts, M&S has launched its popular Christmas Food to Order service for 2024. This service allows customers to pre-order festive meals and collect them from their local store on December 22, 23, or 24. A minimum spend of £50 and a deposit are required to secure an order, with the remaining balance payable upon collection.
Last year, the service saw a record-breaking 44,000 customers secure collection slots within the first 24 hours of the service going live, and M&S expects similar enthusiasm this year. The retailer has already sold over one million Christmas products, showcasing the eagerness of customers to prepare for the festive season.
M&S has shared highlights from its Christmas range, including the Our Best Ever Slow-Cooked Turkey, which is priced at £85 for a 2.75kg bird that serves eight to ten people. With the full Christmas range now available online, customers can begin planning their holiday feasts early. Photo by GianniM, Wikimedia commons.