Festive Cheer Sparks 100,000 New Retail Jobs

Every year we complain as Christmas preparation gets earlier and earlier. But as the retail sector gears up for the festive period, large recruitment campaigns will give many something to be positive about.

UK unemployment is still high. However, the current wave of Christmas jobs is a brief, but positive, light on the issue. Chantél du Plooy investigates seasonal opportunities, the benefits of taking it on and delivers advice on how to make your temporary job work for you.

How early is too early?
It seems too early to unpack the tinsel and bring out the minced pies, but in reality the level of retail recruitment activity is a very encouraging sign.

In September last year, seasonal jobs weren’t that easy to come by as most retailers expected an iron-fist clenched around most customer’s wallets.

Over Christmas 2008 the retail sector delivered like-for-like sales down by 3.3% on the previous year, according to the BRC’s retail sales monitor.

However this season, recent recruitment campaigns look like perfect timing delivering something to be jolly about.

The road to recovery
In August figures from the National Institute for Economic and Social Research, unveiled that manufacturing output increased by 0.9%.

Slowly but surely the UK economy is recovering from recession. The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveal that gross domestic product (GDP) has contracted less than expected by 0.7%, in the three months from April to June 2009.

A recent and topical report from the ONS regarding “The impact of the recession on retail sales volumes” concluded: “So far, retail sales volumes have recorded positive growth in most months of the current recession, despite other economic indicators showing weakness in the UK economy.

“The observed growth in the volume of retail sales has been supported by falling retail prices and a flexible labour market which has subdued the effect of unemployment on the household consumption of retail items.”

UK economist at HSBC, Karen Ward, told BBC News: “The things that were leading us into the downturn will lead us back out – we'll see positive consumer spending again, and business investment will improve.”

Who’s hiring?
Sainsbury’s will create 20,000 seasonal jobs to cater for the increase in demand during Christmas and New Year.

The supermarket giant will also allow new seasonal recruits to enrol for their “Try before you buy" scheme, where successful applicants will become part of a training programme to improve management and leadership skills.

Apart from the scheme, Sainsbury’s might also hold on to 1,000 of the seasonal workers for more permanent roles afterwards.

Another supermarket who will acquire a huge number of seasonal staff is ASDA with an opening of 10,000 opportunities.

According to The Independent, ASDA’s Andy Clarke said: “In a survey we found that nearly half of our shoppers were already thinking about Christmas shopping and we're looking for more seasonal colleagues than ever before.”

Matalan, the discount clothing store, will hire 1,800 members for their ‘seasonal squad’. After the Christmas rush 300 jobs will remain permanent and spread over three new Matalan stores.

The clothing retailer has delivered a 14% increase of operating profits. Retail director, Amin Kassim said: “Customers are continuing to respond well to our strategy of offering fantastic value, and we are delighted to be able to create jobs at a time when this is really needed in the UK.”
The Mirror recently did a count-up of all the promoted seasonal jobs and the amount is a whopping 100,000.

Apart from Sainsbury’s, ASDA and Matalan, Morrisons will create 20,000 jobs and Tesco will create 6,000.

Iceland will create 3,000, Boots 7,000, Debenhams 7,500, Argos 12,000 and Toys R Us and HMV will both create 4,000 seasonal jobs.
The new workforce will focus on a number of roles from working at checkout counters and stacking shelves.

Fingers crossed restaurants, pubs and clubs will follow suit and join the early festive recruitment trend soon.
Filling the gap

As UK unemployment continues to rise, jobs that use to be ideal for students, have become necessities to anyone generating zero to little income.

A typical candidate for a seasonal job would be someone who is reliable, helpful and will be able to work flexible hours.

The benefits of a seasonal job in a retail store, restaurant or pub are can offer attractive benefits. These kinds of jobs aren’t limited to extra income, they often include perks, such as; discount on items and added experience for your CV.

Some retailers plan to take on a percentage of the new short-term staff afterwards, and if you are still a student it could mean that your earnings are tax-free.

Getting a seasonal job at a time when everyone needs an extra few pennies is an opportunity that comes, but once a year.
Make the most of it!

Making your seasonal job work for you:
1.Start early. Visit the websites of the company’s who offer temporary jobs for Christmas or visit your nearest Job Centre to find out about the soonest and nearest Jobfair.
2.Get the hours you want. If you are clever about it and manage to be part of the first to be recruited, you could manage to negotiate the hours you prefer to work.
3.Make use of company benefits. Find out what your perks are during that period and make sure you benefit from them. However, keep in mind that there is a massive difference between benefiting and misusing.
4.Think ahead. If you do not have any job opportunities after this one it would be wise to save as much money as you can and continue to send out your CV to apply for available jobs.
5.Be your best. Work hard, be on-time and show initiative at your new temporary job. The company might just value your presence too much to be able to see you go.