Sainsbury’s hiring 22,000 new staff before Christmas in huge jobs boost

The supermarket will take on shop workers, delivery drivers and logistics workers as part of its “biggest ever Christmas recruitment drive” to help with the Christmas rush

Sainsbury’s is to hire 22,000 extra members of staff this Christmas to help with the busy festive season.

The supermarket will take on shop workers, delivery drivers and logistics workers as part of its “biggest ever Christmas recruitment drive”.

The jobs drive includes 14,500 new Sainsbury’s and Argos store roles, including 500 customer and trading manager positions.

Sainsbury’s will also hire 3,000 online delivery drivers, as well as offer 4,500 warehouse and logistics positions, which include agencies and third parties.

It will also hire a further 180 staff at its contact centres.

The seasonal roles will be available from today (October 1) on fixed-term contacts of between three and 12 weeks, with staff working until January 8 next year.

As an added boost to entice more delivery drivers, Sainsbury’s says new and existing workers will able to earn up to an additional £500 for fulfilling shifts over the busy Christmas period.

It comes as the UK continues to grapple with a shortfall of HGV drivers with deliveries across the UK affected as a result.

Clo Moriarty, Sainsbury’s retail and digital director, said: “We’re going all out to help our customers celebrate and make sure they have a great Christmas this year.

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“By recruiting 22,000 temporary Sainsbury’s and Argos colleagues on an attractive pay package, incentivising online drivers and offering additional hours to existing colleagues over the festive season, we will deliver what our customers want – great food and fantastic service.

“Christmas is a fun time to work in retail for anyone who enjoys helping customers and thrives on working in an inclusive team environment.

“If that’s what motivates you, we’re ready to welcome you to Sainsbury’s.”

Business minister Paul Scully said: “The Government is protecting, supporting and creating jobs across the UK through our plan for jobs and it’s great to see Sainsbury’s launching its biggest ever Christmas recruitment drive.

“These 22,000 jobs being created across the country mean more opportunities for workers and even better service for customers – enough to give Father Christmas some serious competition.”

It comes after John Lewis and Waitrose said they will hire 7,000 staff for the Christmas season.

Shops across the UK have already started stocking Christmas goods over concerns items will be in short supply this year.