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Co-operative retailer The John Lewis Partnership has triumphed as the UK&rsquo;s most attractive company to work for in the 2013 Randstad Award, reflecting the general public&rsquo;s perception that &nbsp;leading retailers known to reward their staff well are the best UK employers to work for. 53% of people who knew the company said they would like to work for John Lewis, which received the top award for the second year in a row. Retailer Marks &amp; Spencer took second place while a big three supermarket was also named as one of the twenty most attractive employers in the UK.<br />
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In addition to being recognised as the UK&rsquo;s second most attractive employer, Marks &amp; Spencer &ndash; which came third in last year&rsquo;s survey &ndash; was also perceived as being the employer most concerned with the environment and society. &nbsp;<br />
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Findings of a survey of 7,000 UK adults also reveal that competitive pay and benefits are the most important requirements of a new employer. Peter Shrimpton, Managing Director of specialist recruiter Randstad Retail, comments: &ldquo;Competitive pay and benefits is back at the top of job seekers&rsquo; agendas, superseding job security which has been the top factor for the past three years.&rdquo; &nbsp; &nbsp;<br />
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Shrimpton adds: &lsquo;The retail industry&rsquo;s reputation certainly attracts good quality candidates and this is reflected in the Randstad Award. However, when you stop to consider that that only 51% of retail respondents describe themselves as happy overall and just 32% happy with their pay, it demonstrates just how hard employers have to work to retain top retail talent. The tables are turning and the candidate is now king. We&rsquo;re certainly starting to see an increase in salaries for store manager and deputy roles within the fashion, branded food restaurant and mobile phone sectors in response to this trend &ndash; helping the retail industry to preserve talent and bolster career contentment. &rdquo; &nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
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