Seasonal Hiring To Jump Upcoming Festive Season; Check The Top Roles In Demand

Several factors drive this trend as companies expand their market reach and target new customer bases in smaller cities. Consumer spending is rising in these cities due to improved economic conditions

In major metros such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, and Kolkata, hiring has increased by 18-20 per cent year-over-year

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Businesses nationwide are significantly boosting their hiring efforts as the country prepares for the upcoming festive season. According to Indeed, the online job search platform, seasonal job opportunities are expected to rise by 20 per cent compared to last year. This surge in demand is not limited to major metropolitan areas but also covers Tier 2 and 3 cities as well, which are now emerging as crucial growth hubs, as per the latest Indeed data.

In major metros such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, and Kolkata, hiring has increased by 18-20 per cent year-over-year. In contrast, Tier 2 and 3 cities like Nagpur, Jaipur, Vadodara, Kochi, Vizag, Madurai, Lucknow, Gurugram, Chandigarh, Indore, Coimbatore, Surat, Bhubaneswar, and Bhopal are seeing even more significant growth, with hiring surging by 22-25 per cent.

Several factors drive this trend as companies expand their market reach and target new customer bases in smaller cities. Consumer spending is rising in these cities due to improved economic conditions and higher disposable incomes. Additionally, increased internet penetration and digital adoption in these regions have strengthened e-commerce, retail, and logistics sectors, creating a greater need for a flexible workforce to manage seasonal demand spikes.

Roles In demand:

The report suggests that the top five roles expected to see the highest hiring jump during the 2024 festive season include delivery executives, warehouse workers (Packaging, Labeling, and Order Fulfillment Staff), logistics coordinators, in-store sales executives, and customer care executives.

Speaking on the report’s findings, Sashi Kumar, Head of Sales, Indeed India, said, “The increased hiring in tier 2 regions recognises the untapped potential of these markets. The festive season is a crucial period for businesses across India, and we're seeing a significant uptick in hiring for seasonal roles as companies prepare to meet heightened consumer demand. The industries that are growing—e-commerce, logistics, quick commerce—are doing so because they’re aligned with the needs and behaviours of today’s consumers. This is where the future of India’s job market could be heading.”

Industries Driving The Hiring Numbers:

E-commerce is at the forefront of the hiring surge, with a 35 per cent increase in demand driven by the boom in online shopping. This spike has created a need for more delivery executives and warehouse staff to handle the higher volume of orders and ensure timely deliveries. 

The logistics sector is also seeing significant growth as companies expand their workforce to support increased transportation, warehousing, and delivery needs, ensuring a smooth supply chain.

Retail is experiencing a hiring boost to manage the rise in foot traffic and improve customer engagement, with a particular focus on in-store sales executives and customer care representatives. Quick commerce is up by 11 per cent, reflecting growing consumer demand for ultra-fast delivery services and an increased need for delivery personnel and fulfilment staff.

In the BFSI sector, the demand for customer service roles and sales executives is climbing due to increased interest in financial products. The consumer products industry is scaling to meet increased production and distribution needs. Tourism and hospitality sectors are adding staff to cater to the renewed interest in travel, while manufacturing is enhancing its workforce to maintain production levels and efficiently manage supply chains during the festive season.