Debenhams to recruit 6,500 seasonal workers
Department store chain Debenhams is to recruit 6,500 temporary workers over the Christmas period. The jobs will be based within retailer’s 163 stores with each store requiring an average of 40 new members of staff.
Roles will range from sales advisor positions to stock handling and gift advice.
The positions will be offered to around 30% of the seasonal staff who worked for Debenhams last year. The remaining 70% will be opened up to members of the public.
Debenhams chief executive Michael Sharp said: “These jobs are sure to be welcomed by local economies during the most financially challenging part of the year.
“Approximately a quarter of staff that work with us over the festive season will stay on in permanent roles, making this a crucial period in our employment calendar.”
Chris Grayling, minister for employment, added: “These roles offer invaluable retail experience for first-jobbers whilst giving those with families the flexible working hours they need.
“We are committed to injecting new life into the economy and this is a great example of how major players in the private sector are playing a key role in that.”
The total number of jobs on offer this Christmas is lower than last year when Debenhams recruited 9,000 temporary staff.
