Working as a Merchandising Assistant at John Lewis offers a fantastic entry point into the dynamic world of retail and supply chain management. In this role, you’ll support the merchandising team by ensuring that products are ordered, tracked, and stocked efficiently to meet customer demand. Responsibilities include stock control, sales analysis, supplier coordination, and helping to maintain product availability in stores and online.
This position demands analytical thinking, attention to detail, and strong communication skills. You’ll work closely with buying teams, supply chain partners, and store managers to help maintain the high standards John Lewis is known for. As a bonus, you’ll be part of a company with a strong employee-owned culture, which often translates into better job satisfaction.
John Lewis Merchandising Assistant Salary:
The average salary for a Merchandising Assistant at John Lewis ranges from £22,000 to £26,000 annually, depending on experience, with additional benefits such as staff discounts, pension schemes, and career development opportunities.
20 Common John Lewis Merchandising Assistant Interview Questions and Answers
1. Tell us about yourself.
Focus on your relevant retail, analytical, or administrative experience. Emphasize your interest in merchandising and your alignment with John Lewis values.
2. Why do you want to work at John Lewis?
Mention the company’s reputation, employee ownership model, and your admiration for its customer-first approach. Show enthusiasm about working for a respected British retail brand.
3. What do you understand about the role of a Merchandising Assistant?
Explain that the role involves stock management, sales tracking, coordinating with suppliers, and supporting the merchandising team to optimize product availability and performance.
4. Describe a time you used data to make a decision.
Share a situation where analyzing sales or stock data helped you identify a trend or resolve a supply issue.
5. How would you handle a situation where a product is out of stock?
Explain how you’d analyze sales patterns, coordinate with suppliers, and communicate with the team to manage expectations and resolve the issue quickly.
6. What software or tools are you familiar with?
Mention Excel, SAP, retail systems, or data visualization tools. Show your comfort with spreadsheets, VLOOKUPs, and pivot tables.
7. How do you prioritize tasks when everything feels urgent?
Talk about using task lists, deadlines, and identifying business impact to prioritize effectively.
8. Tell us about a time you made a mistake at work. What did you learn?
Be honest, explain the situation, the steps you took to fix it, and what you learned about attention to detail or communication.
9. How would you handle working with multiple stakeholders with different priorities?
Demonstrate your ability to communicate clearly, listen actively, and balance expectations through collaboration.
10. How do you stay organized?
Mention methods like using planning tools, digital calendars, and setting priorities. Emphasize reliability and efficiency.
11. What does good customer service mean to you, especially in a merchandising role?
Explain that good service in merchandising means ensuring the right products are available at the right time to meet customer needs.
12. Can you explain a time when you worked under pressure?
Choose a fast-paced project or time-sensitive task and explain how you stayed calm, focused, and delivered results.
13. How do you ensure accuracy when entering and checking data?
Talk about double-checking work, using formulas, and validating figures against other data sources.
14. Have you worked with suppliers before? What was your experience?
If applicable, discuss managing lead times, negotiating delivery dates, or resolving discrepancies. If not, express eagerness to learn.
15. What would you do if a supplier consistently delivered late?
Explain your approach to addressing the issue professionally—communicate concerns, seek alternatives, and escalate if needed.
16. How would you handle repetitive tasks?
Show that you understand their importance to accuracy and operations, and mention how you stay focused and organized.
17. What are your strengths related to this role?
Highlight skills like attention to detail, data analysis, multitasking, and collaborative teamwork.
18. How do you approach learning something new?
Show you’re a fast learner who enjoys challenges, seeks feedback, and applies new knowledge quickly.
19. Describe a time you improved a process.
Share an example of identifying inefficiency and proposing or implementing a better solution.
20. Do you have any questions for us?
Ask thoughtful questions like:
What does a typical day in this role look like?
How is success measured in this position?
What development opportunities are available?
Interview Coaching Encouragement and Final Tips
Landing a role as a John Lewis Merchandising Assistant can be a gateway to a long-term retail career with a company that values its partners. To stand out:
Research the company thoroughly—know their values, structure, and recent campaigns.
Practice your responses to common questions aloud.
Dress smartly, arrive early, and bring your CV.
Prepare examples using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
Stay calm and confident. Remember, they want you to succeed.
You’ve got this—good luck!
