Christmas Jobs Up 24%, But Pay is Down

Recent research by Adzuna shows that 20,000 temporary Christmas jobs remain unfilled, marking a 24% increase year-on-year as high-street shops and online retailers gear up for the festive rush.

Average Pay Drops by Over £2 per Hour

Despite the surge in temporary Christmas jobs, the average pay rate for these festive positions has fallen by more than £2 per hour, down to £9.32 from last year.

Sector Breakdown and Top Remuneration

Retail accounts for the largest share with approximately 4,000 positions, while warehousing roles make up around 2,000. Among the lowest-paid roles are:

• Gift wrappers and Christmas elves earning the minimum wage
• Christmas jumper designers receiving just £12 per hour

On the upside, delivery work on Christmas Day can pay up to £500 a day.

Expert Insight

Adzuna’s Doug Monro commented: “With a wealth of negative news hitting the job market in 2016, this boost in festive vacancies is sure to put a smile on the faces of British jobseekers. It’s not all good news, however, as average pay for festive workers looks set to drop significantly compared to last year, suggesting some top retail employers may be hiring more staff for entry-level positions and cutting back on higher-paid management roles.”

As reported by Retail Gazette Online