As the Christmas season approaches, UK retailers are gearing up for one of the busiest periods of the year.
Sainsbury’s and Marks & Spencer (M&S) have both announced significant recruitment drives to meet the increased demand during the festive season.
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Sainsbury’s expands workforce for busy December
Sainsbury’s has unveiled plans to hire 20,000 additional workers for the Christmas period, with 18,000 of these positions based in-store and 2,000 at Argos.
The roles are designed to cover the expected surge in demand across the company’s supermarket operations and its Argos retail chain. These temporary positions include shop workers, warehouse staff, and drivers for home deliveries.
The retailer is offering hourly wages ranging from £12 to £13.50 for most roles, with drivers earning between £13 and £14.65. Workers will also benefit from perks such as free meals during shifts and discounts of up to 15% on Fridays and Saturdays, as well as on payday at Argos.
“As the festive season draws near, we’re getting ready to create a memorable Christmas for our customers – and our brilliant colleagues play a central role in bringing this to life,” said Prerana Issar, Chief People Officer at Sainsbury’s.
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By GlobalDataM&S set to hire thousands more staff
M&S is also making strides to accommodate the Christmas shopping rush, planning to recruit 11,000 new staff members. These new positions will focus on customer service roles, including assisting shoppers on the floor and restocking shelves.
The recruitment process opened on 9 October, with employees expected to start by mid-November.
Sacha Berendji, M&S Operations Director, highlighted the vital role of their staff in delivering exceptional service during the Christmas season:
“Our fantastic store colleagues play such a big part in delivering the magic of M&S at Christmas to our customers.” This expansion reflects the brand’s commitment to ensuring an excellent customer experience during the high-demand period.
A competitive market for festive workers
With retailers like Sainsbury’s and M&S ramping up their hiring efforts, the competition for festive staff is fierce. These temporary jobs provide a valuable opportunity for individuals looking to earn extra income during the holiday season, while gaining new skills and experience.
As both companies highlight, the Christmas period is a pivotal time to support the operational needs of the business, ensuring customers enjoy a smooth shopping experience.
As businesses strive to meet the demands of the festive season, the creation of thousands of temporary jobs across the UK offers an important economic boost, while ensuring that retailers are well-equipped to handle the December rush.
