THOUSANDS of seasonal jobs are up for grabs as retailers prepare for the busy holiday season.
It can be really useful to make extra cash as the expensive run-up to Christmas begins and some retailers pay up to £25 an hour – £14.58 more than the National Living Wage.
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We spoke to Andrew Hunter, co-founder at job search engine Adzuna, to find out exactly which retailers pay the most.
The highest paying jobs on offer include customer advisers, stock assistants and baristas.
Some of the seasonal roles on offer even come with the potential to become permanent role at the end of the season.
Andrew said: “As Christmas season nears, retailers have started their festive hiring to gear up for the peak shopping month.
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“Working over the holidays can be a joyful and rewarding experience as you’ll be surrounded by festive decorations all day, and you get to spread the holiday cheer to others.
“There are plenty of seasonal jobs paying way above the minimum wage.”
The National Minimum Wage (NMW) is the minimum pay per hour for workers under the age of 23.
Those aged 21-22 must earn at least £10.18 an hour and for 18 to 20-year-olds, the minimum wage is £7.49 an hour.
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Meanwhile, the National Living Wage is the minimum wage for those over 23, and is slightly higher at £10.42 an hour.
Andrew said “On top of that, you get to snag exclusive staff perks and attend holiday staff parties.
“If you are tired of going to family Christmas dinners or simply want to earn extra cash, pick up a holiday job at your favourite shop and have an alternative Christmas this year.”
Here’s a full list of the top paying Christmas roles at 10 major retailers.
Fenwick
The department store chain which operates out of nine locations is looking for employees to become Santa Claus – yep you heard that right.
You will be situated within one of the chain’s Christmas Grottos in your very own ‘Santa Cabin’.
A team of joyful elves you will greet families on arrival and show them through our Christmas grotto experience all before the big reveal of meeting yourself.
If you love all things Christmas, getting into character and working with children, Fenwick would love to hear from you.
And the best part is you’ll earn a whopping £25 an hour.
You can find the latest vacancies on the Fenwick website.
John Lewis
The John Lewis Partnership has revealed plans to hire for more than 10,000 positions across the country over the coming months.
As part of this more than 2,900 temporary roles in sales and merchandising positions have come available over the busy festive period.
Those looking for a retail assistant role can expect to be paid £12.75 an hour.
The retailer says candidates for the role will want to proactively engage with customers on the shop floor to help them find and fall in love with our beautiful products and unique services.
You can find the latest vacancies on the John Lewis website.
Selfridges
Like John Lewis, Selfridges is hiring looking to hire temporary shop assistants to work in their Christmas section this festive period.
Candidates will be expected to sell and replenishing stock, organise rails, and maintaining the highest of retail standards.
Successful applicants for the sales associate role can expect to be paid £12.75 an hour.
You can find the latest vacancies on the Selfridges website.
Marks and Spencer
M&S has announced it will be recruiting 10,000 new customer assistants to support in its stores over the festive period.
A customer assistant at M&S is the face of the business and is responsible for delivering a great shopping experience for customers and championing and promoting products.
From serving customers on the shop floor and at service points, ensuring the shelves and rails are always stocked with product to engaging with customers to understand their needs and make recommendations – the role is varied and wide-ranging.
New colleagues can expect to join M&S from November 19 – with a range of start dates, variety of roles and flexible working patterns available.
Colleagues will also enjoy a range of benefits, including a 20% colleague discount from day one.
Customer assistants can expect to earn £12.05 an hour.
You can find the latest vacancies on the M&S website.
Konditor
Konditor is a made-to-order cake bakery specialising in personalised celebration cakes out of three stores in London.
The bakery is looking for packaging and delivery coordinators.
Successful candidates for the role can expect to earn £12 an hour.
They’ll also have access to receive a 70% staff discount.
You can find the latest vacancies on the Konditor website.
The Perfume Shop
From mid-September through to October, The Perfume Shop are driving Christmas recruitment across their 211 stores in the UK in the lead up to Christmas.
Over 700 Christmas Sales Assistant roles will be available for those to apply for at The Perfume Shop this season.
Within the role, sales assistants will be trained on greeting and serving customers, offering VIP membership benefits and providing gift wrapping services when requested.
Successful candidates can expect to be paid £11.95 an hour.
You can find the latest vacancies on the Perfume Shop website.
Costa
Costa is looked for temporary Baristas to help with its seasonal recruitment drive over Christmas.
Whilst on shift you’ll be able to take advantage of free handmade drinks.
Plus you’ll get a 50% discount on food and bottled drinks
You can expected to be paid £11.70 in this seasonal role.
You can find the latest vacancies on the Costa website.
Next
Next is on the hunt for thousands of temporary Christmas support team members.
The role is flexible and come with between three and up to 12 weeks of work.
You’ll be able to work on the salesfloor, in the stockroom, or both and can expect to be paid £11.67 an hour.
You’ll also get 25% off a huge selection of Next, Lipsy and Victoria’s Secret products, 10% off most partner brands and up to 15% off Branded Beauty (after 1 week’s service).
Plus team members can get 75% off a generous (optional) working wardrobe allowance to buy clothes to wear for work.
You can find the latest vacancies on the Next website.
Waitrose
Waitrose is recruiting more than 2,800 seasonal roles, including supermarket assistants, night shift and customer delivery drivers.
But night replinishment staff will be able to take home £11.48 an hour.
The role of a supermarket assistant involves a range of tasks, including advising and serving customers, moving and replenishing stock, carrying out housekeeping activities and handling cash and card transactions according to set procedures.
As a Partner you will enjoy our unique benefits package, including staff discount, subsidised food in Partner dining rooms and discounts in local restaurants.
You can find the latest vacancies on the Waitrose website.
Oliver Bonas
Oliver Bonus is offering hundreds of seasonal team member roles.
Candidates should be expected to enjoy giving the retailer’s customers a fantastic experience and work together to keep their store running smoothly and efficiently during the busy Christmas period.
The jobs usually come with an eight hour minimum contract – but this may increase week on week depending on the needs of the store and overtime may also be available.
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Seasonal contracts run until January 7 and you can expect to earn £11.25 an hour.
You can find the latest vacancies on the Oliver Bonas website.
