Marks & Spencer plans to recruit over 11,000 customer assistants in UK stores for the festive season, exceeding last year’s numbers by 1,000.
- The recruitment process kicks off on 9 October, with new hires starting in mid-November, offering varied roles and flexible working arrangements.
- New employees will support M&S’s Christmas food to order service, which began on 24 September, enhancing customer service during peak trading.
- Sacha Berendji, M&S operations director, highlights the vital role of store colleagues in creating a memorable Christmas experience for customers.
- Many employees commence their careers during this peak period, with opportunities for advancement in M&S’s ‘stepping into team manager’ programme.
Marks & Spencer has announced a significant seasonal hiring initiative, aiming to add over 11,000 new customer assistants across UK stores for the Christmas period. This recruitment surpasses their previous year’s intake by 1,000 positions, reflecting the company’s commitment to enhancing customer service during one of the busiest times of the year.
The recruitment window opens on 9 October, with new staff expected to start by mid-November. M&S offers a range of start dates and roles with flexible working patterns to accommodate varying schedules. This approach not only aims to attract a diverse workforce but also to ensure that customer service is consistently maintained throughout the holiday season.
These new customer assistants will primarily support M&S’s Christmas food to order service, which launched on 24 September. By bolstering their in-store team, M&S aims to deliver seamless service and meet increasing customer demands effectively during this peak trading period.
Sacha Berendji, the operations director at M&S, emphasizes the importance of store colleagues in delivering ‘the magic of M&S at Christmas.’ The company’s strategy focuses on being ‘closer to customers’ by expanding its team and ensuring that each store can provide an exceptional shopping experience.
For many recruits, a position with M&S during the festive season can serve as a career springboard. This period often marks the beginning of long-term careers, with many employees advancing to M&S’s ‘stepping into team manager’ programme post-Christmas.
M&S’s increased recruitment drive underscores its dedication to providing exceptional customer service during the festive period.
