Retailers announce over 27,000 temporary jobs for Christmas 2026
Boots, John Lewis and M&S have opened seasonal hiring drives that together offer more than 27,000 temporary roles for the 2026 Christmas period. Applications opened immediately, with the first hires due to start work from 25 October and hourly pay at M&S set at £13.41.
Boots plans to fill around 6,000 positions across its 1,800 stores, warehouses and customer‑support centres, offering roles such as customer advisers, warehouse operatives and picker‑packers. John Lewis Partnership aims to recruit over 10,400 seasonal staff, with 6,000 roles in Waitrose’s 320 branches, 2,600 in its 36 John Lewis shops and 1,800 in distribution centres and supply chain. M&S will hire 11,000 new colleagues to support store teams during the busiest festive period, with positions opening from 25 October and training provided to quicken operations. All three retailers emphasize that the jobs are open to people of all ages, noting that a large share of seasonal hires are first‑time jobseekers or workers under 25. Roles range from customer‑facing positions on the shop floor to behind‑the‑scenes tasks in warehouses and call centres, reflecting the varied ways shoppers interact with retailers during the holidays.
“Our brilliant store colleagues play such an important part in delivering the magic of M&S at Christmas, and we’re looking forward to welcoming 11,000 new colleagues to teams this year,” Thinus Keeve, retail director at M&S said.
Retailers are preparing for the busy festive trading period, with tens of thousands of temporary roles opening across stores, warehouses, distribution centres and customer support operations. From first‑time jobseekers looking to gain experience to candidates seeking a route into a longer‑term retail career, this round‑up highlights some of the biggest peak hiring drives announced so far.
What we know
Boots is recruiting around 6,000 seasonal workers across its stores, warehouses and customer support operations as it gears up for the Christmas trading period.
The John Lewis Partnership is to set to recruit more than 10,400 seasonal roles across the UK, stressing that these roles are not just for Christmas.
M&S’ seasonal recruitment drive will see it hire 11,000 new colleagues, to support store teams over the busy festive period.
These roles begin with an hourly wage of £13.41, with successful applicants set to receive training, tools and support needed to quicken all operations.
The high street retailer’s applications are now open, with the first colleagues set to join from 25 October onwards.