The additional staff will support stores across the UK, working in a variety of roles including serving on the shop floor, restocking shelves, and assisting with the food-to-order service. The recruitment drive covers both the food and clothing & home divisions of the business, with applications opening from 9 October and new employees starting from mid-November.

Ensuring Customer Satisfaction

Sacha Berendji, operations director at M&S, highlighted the importance of the recruitment drive in delivering an exceptional customer experience over the festive season:

“Our fantastic store colleagues play such a big part in delivering the magic of M&S at Christmas to our customers. And this year we’re recruiting even more colleagues to ensure we’re closer to customers.”

He encouraged those interested to apply, adding: “With a range of roles and flexible working patterns available, anyone who is interested in being part of something special this Christmas should visit our careers website to apply.”

Flexible Roles and Support from Head Office

M&S has emphasised the flexibility of the positions on offer, with various start dates and working patterns available to suit different applicants. Additionally, employees from the company's support centre will continue their tradition of assisting in stores during the busy trading period. Last year, staff from the support division contributed over 103,000 hours in stores, with four of those days focused on the lead-up to Christmas.

This recruitment initiative forms a key part of M&S’s efforts to manage increased customer demand during the holiday season while ensuring a smooth shopping experience for all.