John Lewis is to take on 850 new staff as it continues its investment in a bricks and clicks strategy.
The company is looking for 200 people to join its national distribution centres in Milton Keynes over the next year. It is also hiring 650 staff for the new John Lewis Birmingham, set to open in September, as part of a strategy to sell online and through strategically-placed stores.
Roles at the national distribution centre support omnichannel selling via stores and ecommerce.
Terry Murphy, director of national distribution centres at John Lewis, said: “As customers’ shopping habits evolve so must our operational business model. Increasing our numbers will enable us to not only react and fulfill omnichannel shopping experiences, but to also provide a better service to our shops and customers.”
The linked distribution centres of Magna Park 1 and 2 occupy more than 1.3m sq ft in Milton Keynes. They service all 43 John Lewis shops and a growing online business. A third distribution centre is to open in Milton Keynes next year, also supporting the growth of its omnichannel business.
