The Christmas Job Surge Has Officially Begun

📰 Industry News

• TGI Fridays will remain on UK high streets after a rescue deal was secured for the restaurant chain - but more than 1,000 staff have lost their jobs. (Sky News)

• eBay is to block the private sale of electric bikes on its platforms amid concerns over a rise in battery fires. The online auction site will only allow “eligible business sellers” to market e-bikes from Oct 31. (The Telegraph)

• UK house prices climbed for the third consecutive month in September, as they are just £200 short of a record high. (The Guardian)

• Frasers Group has increased its stake in luxury retailer Mulberry, in its bid to acquire the London-listed luxury handbag maker. (Drapers)

• Co-op has grown its membership by a fifth in the first half of its 2024 financial year, as the retailer strives to reach 8 million members by 2030. The chain saw its active member base rise by 20% to 5.5 million in the first half of 2024. (Marketing Week)
  

📦 Half a Million UK Small Businesses Gone Post-Pandemic

It's no secret that UK businesses have been through the wringer over the past few years, but the latest data paints an even bleaker picture of the country's small business landscape. From the pandemic to Brexit, the combined blows have led to the disappearance of over half a million small businesses since 2020.

So what’s been happening?

• The UK has lost over 500,000 small businesses since 2020, a combination of the pandemic and the country’s exit from the EU.

• Most of the decline has been among self-employed and one-person companies, with numbers falling by 11% in five years.

• Despite this, larger businesses - those with over 250 employees - have continued to grow during this period.

What’s driving this decline?

The fallout from Covid-19 and Brexit has hit the self-employed hardest, particularly consultants and freelancers. Key contributors include:

• Government delays in offering pandemic support to the self-employed.

• IR35 tax changes have complicated the financial landscape for consultants.

• The shift towards remote and flexible working has altered demand for certain services.

Tina McKenzie from the Federation of Small Businesses didn’t mince words, calling the figures “disappointing” and warning of the economic consequences of losing so many small businesses. She pointed out that the disappearance of these "wealth creation units" means fewer local jobs and less community enterprise.

On the upside, companies with employees have grown between 2020 and 2024, suggesting that while the self-employed segment is suffering, the more traditional business models are bouncing back. Larger firms, in particular, have shown the fastest growth.

Looking forward:
With the UK Budget approaching, there are calls for government action to help revive the small business sector. The next government moves, especially in terms of financial support and reform, could be pivotal in either reversing or cementing this downward trend.

🎄 Trolleys, Temp Jobs, and Turkey: Supermarkets Brace for the Christmas Rush

Ah, Christmas—the season of joy, family gatherings, and… a mad rush at the supermarket. While we’re busy panicking over which turkey to buy or if there’s enough brandy for the pudding, supermarkets are bracing themselves for the annual surge in foot traffic and online orders. And with this comes an epic job drive.

This year, UK supermarkets are going all out, hiring thousands of temporary workers to keep up with the festive chaos. Here’s who’s on a recruitment spree:

• Morrisons is looking to fill 3,000 roles nationwide. From shelf stackers to delivery drivers, there’s no shortage of jobs on offer for anyone wanting to cash in on the Christmas period.

• Sainsbury’s is going big with a whopping 20,000 extra staff needed to cover the holiday rush. That's enough to fill an entire stadium with Christmas temps, all making sure the aisles are stocked and the checkouts keep humming.

• M&S is adding 11,000 roles to their workforce, helping them keep their famous £20 dine-in deals and luxury hampers flying off the shelves.

But it doesn’t stop there:

• Last year Tesco recruited 30,000 Christmas workers, and this year won’t be much different, mainly for roles in customer service, home deliveries, and stocking. Tesco’s job drive is the biggest among the UK's supermarket chains, showing just how intense the festive rush gets.

• Aldi is also in the game, with over 2,000 roles likely to be up for grabs, mostly being in-store positions after scrapping their home delivery service.

How Big is the Christmas Surge?

Now, you might be wondering, “Why all the extra hands?” Well, here’s the kicker:

• During the holiday season, footfall in UK supermarkets jumps by an estimated 10-15%. That might not sound huge, but when you're dealing with millions of shoppers, that’s an avalanche of extra customers!

• UK households typically spend £500 more during the Christmas period compared to any other time of year, with a good chunk of that going to supermarket food, drink, and gifts.

• The British Retail Consortium reports that Christmas sales account for nearly 30% of annual revenue for many supermarkets, making it a critical period for their bottom line.

On the eCommerce side, online grocery orders are expected to skyrocket, with 70% of UK shoppers now planning to do at least part of their Christmas shopping online. That’s a sharp contrast to pre-pandemic levels and puts even more pressure on supermarkets to bolster their online delivery teams.

Why All the Fuss?

For supermarkets, Christmas is make-or-break. The holiday season not only boosts footfall but also extends working hours, with some stores running 24/7 in the days leading up to the big event. And with the surge in both in-store and online shopping, supermarkets simply can’t afford to fall short on staff. More hands mean faster stocking, quicker checkouts, and more efficient home deliveries.

For job seekers, the Christmas season presents a golden opportunity. Whether you’re a student looking for extra cash or someone looking to re-enter the job market, these temporary roles provide a solid earning opportunity. And who knows? A Christmas temp role could turn into a permanent gig if you impress.

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