Sainsbury’s has announced that it will create 22,000 seasonal jobs across the UK for the festive period.

The move comes as the wider retail industry faces an ongoing labour and driver shortage that has seen warehouses increasing wages by up to 30 per cent to attract new staff.

Earlier this week, a warehouse trade group and a recruitment agency for the industry warned that they were finding it difficult to replace the temporary European staff that usually work across UK distribution centres during the festive season.

The additional Sainsbury’s and Argos employees will help throughout the store, serving customers, keeping shelves stocked and picking, packing, and delivering online orders.

There will be 14,500 Sainsbury’s and Argos colleague roles available in stores, including 500 Customer and Trading Manager positions, 3,000 online delivery driver positions, and 4,500 warehouse and logistics openings which include agencies and third parties.

There are also 180 Contact Centre opportunities.

Jobs will be available across the country from 1st October, 4 weeks earlier than last year.

The supermarket chain is also introducing a new £500 bonus to help attract more Argos and groceries online delivery drives across Christmas.

Temporary employees will work up until 8 January 2022 on fixed term contracts of between three and 12 weeks.

In September it was reported that more than half of Brits – 56 per cent – have noticed food shortages in their local shop or supermarket. This followed a report by the National Farmers Union which estimated that there are currently over half a million vacant posts in farming, food production and distribution, retail, and hospitality.

Alongside warehouse shortages, supermarkets across the UK, including Ocado, Tesco, M&S, and Aldi, have been offering higher hourly rates and signing bonuses in a bid to attract HGV drivers.

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

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