As the festive season approaches, companies are ramping up their hiring activities. A recent report by hiring platform Indeed predicts a 20% increase in seasonal jobs in 2024 compared to the previous year. This rise is evident across metro cities as well as tier-II and III cities, with smaller cities emerging as key drivers of growth, according to Indeed data.
In major metro areas like Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, and Kolkata, seasonal hiring has risen by 18-20% compared to last year. However, in tier-II and III cities such as Nagpur, Jaipur, Kochi, Lucknow, Gurugram, Chandigarh, Surat, and Bhopal, the surge is even more pronounced, with a 22-25% increase.
“The increased hiring in tier-II regions recognises the untapped potential of these markets. The festive season is a crucial period for businesses across India, and we are 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 behaviors of today’s consumers. This is where the future of India’s job market could be heading,” said Sashi Kumar, head of sales at Indeed India.
Indeed data highlights the e-commerce sector as a leader in seasonal hiring, with a 35% surge in demand. This growth is driven by the rapid expansion of online shopping, necessitating more delivery executives and warehouse staff to handle higher order volumes and ensure timely deliveries.
For example, e-commerce startup Meesho, on Thursday, announced the creation of approximately 0.85 million seasonal job opportunities within its seller and logistics network. More than 60% of these roles are concentrated in tier-III and IV regions.
Following closely behind e-commerce, the logistics sector is also witnessing robust hiring. Companies are expanding their workforce to manage increased transportation, warehousing, and delivery activities, ensuring a smooth supply chain during the festive season. Similarly, the quick commerce segment has seen an 11% rise in demand for delivery personnel and fulfillment staff, reflecting growing consumer preferences for ultra-fast delivery services.
While e-commerce and related industries dominate seasonal hiring, the offline retail sector is also experiencing a surge. Retailers are hiring more staff to manage increased foot traffic, with a particular focus on in-store sales executives and customer care representatives to enhance customer engagement during the festive period.
In addition, the tourism and hospitality sectors are expanding their staff to meet the renewed interest in travel, and manufacturing units are increasing their workforce to maintain production levels and manage supply chains efficiently throughout the festive season, according to Indeed’s data.