At a Glance
- Tasks: Help create a magical Christmas shopping experience by setting up displays and assisting customers.
- Company: Join Sainsbury’s, a community-focused retailer with a festive spirit.
- Benefits: Enjoy discounts, free food, generous holidays, and career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Be a Christmas Champion and make a real impact during the festive season.
- Qualifications: Enthusiasm for customer service and a passion for homeware and fashion.
- Other info: Flexible hours with potential for permanent roles and inclusive workplace culture.
Rate: £12.60 per hourLocation: Kelso Store, Kelso, TD5 8DWHours: Part time, 12 hours per weekContract type: Fixed-Term AssignmentBusiness area: RetailClosing date: 08 November 2025Requisition ID: 400033244
Shift hoursMonday: 14:00 – 22:00Tuesday: 12:00 – 20:00Thursday: 07:00 – 16:00Friday: 12:00 – 20:00Saturday: 10:00 – 20:00Sunday: 10:00 – 20:00
Working in our stores this Christmas:
Could you be one of our Christmas champions this year? Whether you’re a Gift Guru, or a Festive Fashionista, bring your energy into this season and help us create the best Christmas possible for our customers.
Our stores are fast-paced environments where no two days are ever the same, especially during our busiest and most magical time of the year. They are at the heart of the local community providing outstanding value, quality and great service. As one of our General Merchandising Assistants, you’ll be one of our Christmas Champions that ensures our homeware, clothing and entertainment sections are set-up brilliantly for our customers.
- You must have Right to Work eligibility in the UK
- If the shifts for this role cover hours earlier than 6am or later than 11pm, you will need to be at least 18 years of age.
What you’ll be doing:
- Set-up and position our Tu and Habitat brands, along with our entertainment, electrical and stationery ranges, to make them appealing for customers.
- Moving products around as trends and seasons change as well as collecting stock from the warehouse using heavy roll cages (up to 15kg) to replenish items across the department
- Build great knowledge about our products, services and promotions to help provide recommendations
- Working flexibly across the store as required
- Always being on-hand to serve our customers brilliantly, supporting with any questions and advice on a wide range of products, and proactively offering help
What makes a great Sainsbury’s Colleague:
- Friendly and welcoming with a genuine enthusiasm for helping customersand a passion for interiors, homeware, gaming and fashion
- A brilliant eye for detail, ensuring displays always look their best and the store is clutter free, always looking to create the best shopping experience for our customers
- Happy working in a fast-paced, physical and high energy environment, and thrives in being part of a team
- Takes responsibility for owning tasks and uses initiative to solve problems
- Always prepared to work flexibly and productively to a high standard across the store – you’ll be fully trained in a variety of skills, so you have opportunities to learn, develop and try new things
- Comfortable in learning to use new digital tools and technology to do your job brilliantly
Working for us has great rewards:
We truly value our colleagues and provide market-leading benefits and training to reflect that:
- Discount card –10% off at Sainsbury’s, Argos, Tu, and Habitat after four weeks, increasing to 15% discount at Sainsbury’s every Friday and Saturday, and 15% off at Argos every pay day
- Free food and hot drinks – provided for Colleagues in all our stores
- Generous holiday entitlement – based on the hours you work, plus maternity and paternity leave
- Pension – we’ll match between 4-7.5% of your pension contributions
- Sainsbury’s share schemes – buy Sainsbury’s shares at discounted prices
- Shopping discounts – special offers on gym memberships, restaurants, holidays, retail vouchers and more
- Wellbeing support– including free access to our Employee Assistance Programme which is a confidential service providing support and guidance on a wide range of issues
Whilst many of our roles will be temporary over the festive period, there may also be permanent opportunities available – please check the contract type and schedule hours before applying to ensure that the role is right for you.
Please note that our vacancies may close quickly, so we encourage candidates to apply at their earliest convenience.
An inclusive place to work and shop
We are dedicated to being a truly inclusive retailer, where every colleague can achieve their full potential, and every customer feels welcome when they shop with us.
To support this commitment, our colleagues may be entitled to a range ofenhanced discretionary leave for families, as well as support for carers. We provide our colleaguesresources to help themunderstand and support their role and theirteam effectively. Our internal colleague networks seek toensure true representation for everyone, helping us identify and remove barriers that our colleagues may face.
We are proud to offer a range of development opportunities, including mentorship, training, and career progression pathways, to help our colleagues grow and succeed. We also celebrate diversity through various initiatives and events, fostering a culture of inclusion and respect. If you would like to learn more about our commitment to inclusivity, please take a lookhere .
As part our commitment as a Disability Confident Leader, all candidates will have the opportunity to be offered an interview through our online assessment which will prioritise those candidates who achieve the highest score and therefore most closely match the essential criteria for the role.
Should you require any reasonable adjustments during the application or interview stages, please let us know, and we will endeavour to support you.
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General Merchandise Assistant employer: Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd
Contact Detail:
Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land General Merchandise Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the store! Before your interview, pop into the Kelso store and familiarise yourself with the layout, products, and current promotions. This shows your enthusiasm and helps you answer questions more confidently.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your personality! When you’re chatting with the hiring team, let your friendly and welcoming nature shine through. They’re looking for someone who can connect with customers, so be yourself and share your passion for homeware and fashion.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to demonstrate your teamwork skills! During the interview, share examples of how you’ve worked well in a team before. Highlight your ability to adapt and support your colleagues, especially in a fast-paced environment like retail.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions! Show your interest by asking about the team culture, training opportunities, or what a typical day looks like. This not only gives you valuable insights but also demonstrates your eagerness to join the team.
We think you need these skills to ace General Merchandise Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Enthusiasm: When writing your application, let your passion for helping customers shine through! We want to see that you’re excited about the role and ready to be one of our Christmas champions.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your relevant skills and experiences. Mention any previous retail experience or your love for homeware and fashion – it’ll make you stand out!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid fluff and focus on what makes you a great fit for the General Merchandise Assistant role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive your details and can get back to you quickly. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you understand what a General Merchandise Assistant does. Familiarise yourself with the Tu and Habitat brands, as well as the types of products you'll be handling. This will help you answer questions confidently and show your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Show Your Customer Service Skills
Since this role is all about providing great service, think of examples from your past experiences where you've gone above and beyond for customers. Be ready to discuss how you can create a welcoming atmosphere and assist shoppers effectively.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
This position requires working in a fast-paced team environment, so be prepared to talk about your teamwork experiences. Share specific instances where you collaborated with others to achieve a common goal, especially in busy situations.
✨Be Ready for Physical Tasks
As a General Merchandise Assistant, you'll be moving stock and setting up displays. Mention any relevant experience you have with physical work or your willingness to take on these tasks. Showing that you're fit for the job will definitely impress your interviewers!