Meet the 93-year-old grocery store worker who loves his job — and has no plans to stop

John Shipton is 93 and still works three days a week.JLPJohn Shipton, 93, enjoys working at a supermarket and says he has no plans to stop.He joined Waitrose in 2011 after a long career in the electronics business and the army.Shipton lives with Ukrainian refugees and prioritizes learning on a daily basis.John Shipton starts work three days a week at 8 a.m. on the checkouts at a supermarket in Exeter, southwest England. He's no different from his colleagues — apart from being 93 years old."It's so much fun. I've got lovely customers," he told Business Insider. "I think I'll hang about a bit — I won't dash off at 95."Shipton started working at Waitrose, an upmarket British supermarket chain, on a three-month contract in 2011 before being offered a permanent role."Every week the same customers are coming back time and time again," he said. "They're great, I love them.""I don't feel like it's work — it's more like play, to be honest."He described Waitrose as an incredible employer. Shipton said when he'd only been working at the store for about four years, he broke his hip while gardening but was given three months paid leave to recover."And when I went back, they made sure that I had everything I needed to make life easy for me," he said.John Shipton, 93, works at Waitrose in the UK.JLPShipton decided to apply for the supermarket job after reading a book by John Spedan Lewis, who established the John Lewis Partnership, which owns Waitrose along with the John Lewis department store chain. It's the UK's largest employee-owned business and all staff have a stake in the business."I figured this man was going to be good to work for," he said. "I figured, although he died, his business was still running, and it was running as they organized it."Shipton said he'd previously worked at another supermarket for six years but wasn't entirely happy there.His career spanned a range of industries. He worked in electronics, as a maintenance controller for his city council and on a freelance basis as a computer programmer, and repairing antique furniture.Shipton attended college for two years but decided it wasn't for him."They weren't teaching me what I wanted to know," he said, so he decided to join the army."I thoroughly enjoyed it, but I could see that when I got to the age of 45 I was going to become grown out," he said.Shipton then worked in sales and marketing for big electronics companies. "I've always wanted to do something."'Curious about the world'Shipton said he was "at a loss" for about a year when his wife, Julia Marise, died in 2021, followed by his cat a year later."Then I thought, 'right, I'll take on some Ukrainian refugees,'" he said.Shipton said he spent his school days with Jewish refugees after World War II."There was a lot of information about Auschwitz and so on, which made me think, you know, how can people start a war and treat people so badly?" he said. When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Shipton felt he had to do something to help.He wrote to the chairman of John Lewis to help Oksana get a job with the retailer. Her son, Illia, is in his final year of school and due to go to college next year."They're fabulous people," he said. "I might have cooked three dinners in the last three years."Shipton said he and Illia have bonded over their shared interest in math. "I'm very interested in anti-matter and I'm studying that at the moment."No retirement plansThe 93-year-old also regularly paints and reads. "I try and learn on a daily basis almost. I'm curious about the world. I'm curious about people."Shipton said he's never retired — and has no plans to do so: "I just enjoy working. As I say, it's not work, it's play."A few months ago Shipton said he was thinking of working until 95, but has decided to continue even longer. "My life is very full."Read the original article on Business Insider

Comments

Business News

Brits warned of 'seemingly harmless' WhatsApp message scamming people out of thousands

Express

We ditched fancy Friday dinners for murder mystery nights and Sunday breakfasts. We've cut dining out expenses by over half and have more fun together.

about 1 hour ago

insider

US company Aimlock has been all about deadly accurate fire. Now it's also making last-resort weapons for the counter-drone fight.

about 1 hour ago

insider

Trump says India and Pakistan used 'common sense and great intelligence' to agree a cease-fire

about 1 hour ago

insider

I've had my walking pad for 2 years and still use it every day. A few things have helped me stick with it.

about 1 hour ago

insider

I paid $55 for a manicure with Dazzle Dry polish. My nails looked great, and I'm confident I could recreate the results at home for less.

about 1 hour ago

insider

After leaving the Navy, I was doing cocaine, popping pills, and drinking over a fifth of vodka a day. Then, I had a 'death experience' that changed everything.

about 3 hours ago

I spent 3 days at the Marines' big modern warfare expo. Here's what the service was buzzing about.

insider

I chose to live abroad and travel the world over becoming a mother. As I approach 50, I'm wondering if I made the right decision.

about 3 hours ago

Gen Z's 'conscious unbossing' should be a wake-up call for businesses

insider

Comments

Similar News

US and China Meet for First Time Since Trump Imposed Tariffs

Meet the two Scottish doctors determined to revolutionise healthcare

Meet Jordon Hudson, Bill Belichick's 24-year-old girlfriend who hopes to become the next Miss USA

Meet Robert Prevost, the first-ever pope born in the US

Trump says China tariff could be lowered, hints at meeting with Xi

Meet Casey Means, Trump's surgeon general nominee and a major player in the MAHA movement

Meet Fidji Simo, OpenAI's latest top hire, who rose from a small French fishing village to the heart of Silicon Valley

Salesforce sellers are using AI to improve their face-to-face client meetings and calls

Meet the 10 AI startup unicorns with tiny teams

What to Watch at the Federal Reserve’s May Meeting

U.S. and Chinese officials will meet in Geneva in first sign of thaw in trade war

Top Trump officials to meet with Chinese counterparts amid trade war

Trump Officials to Meet With Chinese Counterparts Amid Trade Standoff

Trump and Carney discuss US-Canada relations in tense meeting – video highlights

Trump told Carney he’s looking forward to attending G7 meeting in Alberta

Who Is Greg Abel? Meet the Canadian Executive Taking Over Berkshire Hathaway

Read the transcript of Carney and Trump’s Oval Office meeting

Battery makers fined millions in Ontario for not meeting recycling targets

Trump and Carney to meet at White House in closely watched encounter

Canada PM Mark Carney Tells Trump Country Is ‘Not For Sale...Ever’ During White House Meeting (Live Updates)

Business News

Brits warned of 'seemingly harmless' WhatsApp message scamming people out of thousands

Personal tax allowance increase to £20,000 update 'in days' in Commons showdown

All the summer cost of living payments you can apply for to get up to £3,337 cash direct to bank accounts

How Has Pep Guardiola’s ‘Most Difficult’ Season Changed The City Boss?

The Richmond Flying Squirrels Transform Their Future With New Stadium

Counting Bucks: Milwaukee Bucks 2025 Offseason Cap Sheet

Pink Floyd Charts A New No. 1 Album Thanks To A Special Re-Release

Chappell Roan Charts Her First No. 1 With An Unexpected Hit

21 Banned Books That Have Sparked Controversy Over The Years

U2’s No. 1s Record Matched Again By A Beloved Rock Band

In Targeting Carried Interest, Republicans Sadly Only See The Success

The Yankees Youth Movement Powers Their Success

Chrissie Evert Would Be ‘Surprised’ If Novak Djokovic Wins 25th Major At Roland Garros

Jelly Roll Almost Trades One Bestseller For Another

The Grateful Dead Have Missed No. 1 By One Space Several Times This Year

Kwik Fit founder Sir Tom Farmer has died age 84, family says

Households urged to plant £1.48 fruit and watch it grow in the soil

Meghan Markle gets her ‘fresh-faced glow’ by using this radiance-enhancing facial set

Primark's Oliver Bonas 'lookalike' ceramic £12 jug makes 'delightful' sound

Ninja slashes 20% all coolers in time for the hot weather - but not for long

We ditched fancy Friday dinners for murder mystery nights and Sunday breakfasts. We've cut dining out expenses by over half and have more fun together.

US company Aimlock has been all about deadly accurate fire. Now it's also making last-resort weapons for the counter-drone fight.

Trump says India and Pakistan used 'common sense and great intelligence' to agree a cease-fire

I've had my walking pad for 2 years and still use it every day. A few things have helped me stick with it.

I paid $55 for a manicure with Dazzle Dry polish. My nails looked great, and I'm confident I could recreate the results at home for less.

The richest person in every state

U.S.-China trade talks kick off in Geneva

‘Don’t Need a Deal.’ Top Trump Economic Adviser Is All in on His China Hardball

Martin Lewis shares ‘unbeatable’ savings account with ‘jaw-dropping’ 50% returns

In-N-Out Burger adds three new California locations to list of 2025 openings

In America's 'salad bowl,' farmers invest in guest worker housing, hoping to stabilize workforce

U.S. representatives sound alarm over slowing port activity

Warning for 400,000 to make note of essential number to ensure they get state pension top ups worth £342 a year

Simple tool to check if you’re affected by HUGE electricity meter switch off in weeks

As Trump’s Tariffs Rock The Market, Sports Team Owners Have Nothing To Fear

10 Books To Help Deepen Your Relationships

YETI’s Bold Move Out Of China Amid Rising Tariff Tensions

UK supermarket own brands beating big labels with Heinz and Lurpak snubbed

Multifunctional rattan loveseat that’s perfect for sunbathing this summer gets a massive £150 off

After leaving the Navy, I was doing cocaine, popping pills, and drinking over a fifth of vodka a day. Then, I had a 'death experience' that changed everything.

I spent 3 days at the Marines' big modern warfare expo. Here's what the service was buzzing about.

I flew to Omaha to cover Warren Buffett's annual meeting. I didn't know I'd witness history being made.

A college student thought she had a sinus infection. She was diagnosed with a rare, aggressive cancer.

Wedding season has arrived. Here are some dos and don'ts for being a good guest.

I chose to live abroad and travel the world over becoming a mother. As I approach 50, I'm wondering if I made the right decision.

Gen Z's 'conscious unbossing' should be a wake-up call for businesses

Chinese consumers are spending less amid trade war and economic headwinds

The Fox-to-Trump Funnel sweeps up Jeanine Pirro of 'The Five'

Bank offers competitive savings account with bumper 7% interest rate

Energy provider launches tariff priced £300 below price cap

CalMac withdraws plans to reduce sailings after backlash from islanders

Much-loved high street travel agent forced to close popular high street branch within DAYS

Big broadband provider to CLOSE with all 95,000 customers complete switch to new supplier in weeks

Minor detail to spot on ultra-rare 1p coin listed on eBay for £120,000 – do you have one in your piggy bank?

I tried supermarket pistachio treats inspired by Dubai chocolate – and prices start from just £2.20

Major supermarket chain with over 900 locations is shutting two branches in just WEEKS after string of closures

Daniel Cormier Calls Alex Pereira Out, ‘He’s A Liar’

Monzo lines up bankers to spearhead blockbuster £6bn float