New data from global hiring and matching platform, Indeed, shows that searches for Christmas jobs are up by nearly a third (31%) on this time last year, as businesses ramp up hiring for the festive season.
Seasonal searches are pacing at the strongest level since 2018 (3% below the level of 13 October 2018), with cost of living pressures a potential factor supporting robust jobseeker interest in Christmas work, as more people may be looking to earn some extra money for the festive period.
Christmas hiring is gathering pace
Hiring for Christmas jobs is ramping up in line with the usual autumn seasonal pattern. As of 13 October, 0.6% of all jobs published on Indeed in the UK were holiday jobs. The share of Christmas job postings is up versus the same time in 2022 when many businesses had already been hiring at pace for some time as the economy bounced back from the pandemic. But job postings are running below levels in 2018 to 2021.
Retailers underpin seasonal hiring
High street retailers dominate seasonal postings. The top ten businesses by volume of seasonal job postings includes retailers of greetings cards, homeware, cosmetics, perfume, jewellery, food & drink and clothing.
Jack Kennedy, senior UK economist at Indeed, said: “Seasonal hiring ahead of the festive period is well underway. Recruitment for Christmas jobs typically begins in August, picks up throughout September and October and reaches a peak in November, well before Christmas arrives. Hiring efforts are running stronger this year than last, but below years prior to 2022. There is still some time for it to catch up, however the current trend suggests employers may be a little more cautious amid economic uncertainty and expectations of slow economic growth. We are seeing strong jobseeker interest in seasonal roles though, as many look to boost pay ahead of the festive season. This bodes well for employers looking to fill open roles as seasonal hiring ramps up.”
