Debenhams Announces 6500 Festive Jobs up for Grabs

LONDON, October 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Debenhams announced that it is on the lookout for 6,500 seasonal temps to cope with its busiest time of year; Christmas.

The retailer's emphasis on flexible shift patterns will ensure additional staff are in store whenever customers need them.

Successful candidates will work with the department store from mid-November until the beginning of January, to cover the pre-Christmas spectacular through to the beginning of the January sale.

Michael Sharp, Debenhams CEO 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 works with us over the festive season will stay on in permanent roles, making this a crucial period in our employment calendar."

The jobs will be split across Debenhams' 163 stores and average out at 40 per store, and are based in the menswear, womenswear, accessories, childrenswear, home, gifts or cosmetics departments. 

To improve efficiency and productivity, Debenhams is also hoping to re-recruit temporary staff who worked for the retailer last year in around 30% of stores.

In addition the fashion store will also be calling on its 2,100 casual employees already on Debenhams' payroll to step in to deal with the festive season shopping frenzy.

Roles available are varied and include everything from stock handling and general sales advisor jobs to gift advisor roles which require special training.

Debenhams is recruiting directly through its website and looking for energetic people with a talent for customer service. Previous retail experience isn't essential.

Michael Sharp continued: "In recent years we have noticed a much broader range of candidates applying for these roles, including many more school leavers and graduates looking for their first step on the employment ladder.

"It's fantastic that we have the opportunity to give some of these young people valuable retail experience."

Minister for Employment, Chris Grayling 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."

Contracts will be for flexible working hours with the majority of positions running from November through to the January sale.

Staff will benefit from a Debenhams discount - the perfect perk for saving on Christmas shopping.

More information and application forms can be found on http://www.debenhams-jobs.com or by contacting the local store.

Notes to Editors:

Debenhams Retail PLC - Equality of Opportunity

Debenhams is committed to ensuring that every individual connected with the Company - whether employee, applicant, customer or other third party - receives fair and equitable treatment, regardless of their differences.  These include, but are not restricted to:

- gender
- race
- ethnic or national origin
- religious, political or philosophical beliefs
- disability
- marital or civil partnership status
- sexual orientation
- gender reassignment
- age

About Debenhams:

Debenhams is the second largest department store chain in the UK with a strong presence in key product categories including womens clothing, mens clothing, childrenswear, furniture  and health and beauty. Debenhams operates 167 stores in the UK and Republic of Ireland. Debenhams also has 61 international franchise stores in 24 countries and six Magasin stores in Denmark.

Designers at Debenhams include Preen, Jonathan Saunders, Jonathan Kelsey, Roksanda Ilincic, Ted Baker, Jeff Banks, Jasper Conran, Erickson Beamon, FrostFrench, Henry Holland, Betty Jackson, Ben de Lisi, Julien Macdonald, Melissa Odabash, Jane Packer, Pearce Fionda, Janet Reger, John Rocha, Lisa Stickley, Eric Van Peterson and Matthew Williamson.

PR Contact:
Press Office
33 Wigmore Street
London
W1U 1QX
+44(0)8445-616161
http://www.debenhams.com