At a Glance
- Tasks: Be the friendly face of our store, helping customers find what they need and creating joyful experiences.
- Company: Join Dunelm, a vibrant homeware retailer dedicated to making every visit feel like home.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working hours, wellbeing support, and access to a 24/7 Virtual GP.
- Other info: This is a seasonal role with opportunities for part-time work until February 2026.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on customer experiences while working in a fun, inclusive environment.
- Qualifications: No specific experience needed, just a passion for customer service and a friendly attitude.
Overview
Pay –
16-17 – £7.55 per hour.
18+ – £12.21 per hour.
This is a Seasonal position with an end date of 14th February 2026.
Your local store is looking for 12hrs per week Sales Assistant – Host.
Every visit to our store is a chance to make someone\’s day – and you\’ll be right there to make sure it happens, from the first hello to the final thank you.
Our Sales Assistants are the foundation of our stores – a brilliant team at the heart of everything we do. With a focus on creating great experiences, they\’re the first to lend a helping hand, always ready to offer support and guidance. Whether it\’s finding the perfect item or offering a little inspiration, they make sure every customer leaves with exactly what they came for, and a lasting impression that brings them back time and time again.
As a host, you\’ll be the first smile our customers see – and the reason they come back. You\’ll be out on the shop floor, approaching customers, understanding what they\’re looking for and helping them bring their vision to life. You\’ll be confident recommend products, spotting opportunities to upsell, and creating those little moments of joy that make a big difference.
You\’ll also be tech-savvy, using our systems to check stock and organise home delivery, recommend online exclusives, and sort any queries with ease. Whether it\’s helping someone find the perfect cushion or guiding them to something they didn\’t even know they needed, you\’ll make every visit feel personal.
What you\’ll be doing
- You\’ll be customer obsessed – always considering the impact of your actions on the customer experience and striving to deliver joyful experiences in the most effective and thoughtful way
- You\’ll consistently deliver exceptional customer service to support strong CSAT (Customer Satisfaction) scores, ensuring every customer receives a welcoming, helpful, and memorable experience
- You\’ll be the first point of call for our customers, focused on providing exceptional customer service and offering assistance across all departments on the shop floor
- You\’ll help customer find the right products for them, offer advice where required and ensure they leave with everything they came in looking for
- You\’ll process orders for Click & Collect and Home Delivery, offering thousands more products to our customers than what\’s in store
- You\’ll ensure the store is well presented and tidy throughout the day so we look at our best
Whilst your focus will be on hosting, you\’ll be trained in all aspects of customer-facing store life, such as:
- Tills – Offering a friendly and efficient checkout experience. You\’ll take the time to check everything\’s complete and pack fragile items with care, making sure every shopper leaves feeling confident their items will arrive home safely and in perfect condition
- Shop Floor – Helping shoppers find exactly what they\’re looking for – and maybe even something they didn\’t know they needed. You\’ll offer friendly, knowledgeable support that leaves a lasting impression, building loyalty through genuine service and a real passion for our products and people
- Stock & Delivery – A hands-on role that involves some heavy lifting and plenty of variety. While you\’ll be taking in deliveries, checking stock, and replenishing the shop floor, this isn\’t just a backroom job – it\’s customer-facing too. You\’ll keep displays looking their best, update pricing and recover the store after busy periods, all while staying tuned in to what shoppers need and making sure everything\’s easy to find, well-presented, and ready to go
What we\’ll look for in you
- You are customer obsessed – you put customers first in every interaction
- You are confident in offering assistance across a wide range of homeware items, such as bedding, curtains, homeware and cookware
- You are friendly and pro-active, approaching customers to deliver exceptional customer service
- You\’ll enjoy contributing to a welcoming environment that feels like home, for our colleagues and our customers
- You\’ll bring your sociable nature and enthusiasm to a fast-paced retail environment, where your energy and passion help create lasting impressions and meaningful moments for everyone who visits us
- You\’ll support your colleagues across the store and work together to create a smooth, enjoyable experience for everyone, ensuring everything runs efficiently and with the customer in mind at every step
We\’re not after a carbon copy of anyone else. We want people who bring something new to the table – different perspectives, fresh ideas, and a shared love of making our stores feel like home.
D&I statement
Dunelm is committed to becoming a fully inclusive business that is representative of our customers and locations. We recognise the value in diversity and welcome applications from all candidates regardless of sex, age, race, religion, ability, gender or sexual identity, socio-economic background or education. We are committed to making Dunelm a place where everyone can enjoy a successful career and have systems in place to support all our colleagues. We are seeking applications from candidates who share our values and celebrate diversity in all its forms.
Work your way
We have adapted our ways of working to make sure everyone can feel at home, wherever they work. For most roles, we offer flexible working options. In our stores, they include opportunities to work on a part-time basis, seasonal contracts, or adjusted hours to accommodate the important things in your life outside work
Wellbeing is more than just a buzzword here
From our Wellbeing Buddies and Mental Health First Aid training to our progressive parental leave, menopause policies and Colleague Support Fund, we\’re committed to supporting our colleagues in every area – and at every stage – of their lives. Through our partnership with the Retail Trust, everyone at Dunelm has free access to a 24/7 Virtual GP, as well as therapy and counselling, plus information, guidance and advice in all areas of financial, emotional and physical wellbeing.
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Taking opportunities
Meet Amanda, our Chief Stores and People Director, who shares how she feels empowered to take opportunities every day, why Dunelm is her happy place, and why it\’s a really exciting time to join us.
Of course, you should never judge a business by its tech stack. But take a peek at the range of technologies our engineers and developers are currently playing with.
At Dunelm, we love every aspect of the design process. We\’re continually researching new developments in packaging, materials and production methods, tapping into new data insights and keeping track of changing lifestyle trends. We\’re hugely collaborative in the way we work. Together, the teams here have a direct impact on our success, creating amazing products that drive sales and delight our customers, as well as providing direction for our wide and varied range of brands.
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Where you\’ll
be working
Here is where you\’ll be based, whether that\’s an office, or store or one of our sites.
John Penrose Road, Barnstaple, Devon, EX31 3RY
Seasonal Sales Assistant - Host employer: Dunelm
Contact Detail:
Dunelm Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Seasonal Sales Assistant - Host
✨Tip Number 1
Show your enthusiasm for customer service! When you approach customers, make sure to smile and engage them in conversation. This will demonstrate your friendly nature and willingness to help, which is exactly what they're looking for in a Sales Assistant - Host.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the products in the store. Knowing your homeware items inside and out will allow you to confidently recommend products and assist customers effectively. This knowledge can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive on the shop floor. Approach customers who look like they need assistance and offer your help. This shows that you are not only customer-obsessed but also willing to go the extra mile to create a memorable shopping experience.
✨Tip Number 4
Highlight your teamwork skills during any interactions. The role requires collaboration with colleagues to ensure a smooth experience for customers. Share examples of how you've worked well in teams in the past to showcase your ability to contribute positively to the store environment.
We think you need these skills to ace Seasonal Sales Assistant - Host
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in customer service and retail. Emphasise any previous roles where you interacted with customers, as this position is all about creating joyful experiences.
Craft a Personal Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your passion for customer service. Mention specific examples of how you've gone above and beyond for customers in the past, and express your enthusiasm for joining the team at Dunelm.
Showcase Your Skills: In your application, highlight your tech-savviness and ability to use systems for stock checking and order processing. Mention any experience you have with upselling or providing product recommendations.
Demonstrate Your Team Spirit: Dunelm values teamwork, so include examples of how you've collaborated with colleagues in previous roles. Show that you're not just focused on individual success but also on creating a welcoming environment for everyone.
How to prepare for a job interview at Dunelm
✨Show Your Customer Obsession
Make sure to highlight your passion for customer service during the interview. Share specific examples of how you've gone above and beyond to create memorable experiences for customers in previous roles.
✨Demonstrate Product Knowledge
Familiarise yourself with common homeware items like bedding, curtains, and cookware. Be prepared to discuss these products and how you would assist customers in finding what they need.
✨Exude Enthusiasm and Positivity
Your energy can make a big difference! Approach the interview with a friendly attitude and show your enthusiasm for working in a fast-paced retail environment. This will reflect well on your ability to engage with customers.
✨Prepare for Teamwork Questions
Since collaboration is key in this role, be ready to discuss your experience working in teams. Think of examples where you supported colleagues or contributed to a positive team dynamic, as this will demonstrate your fit for the store's culture.