Seasonal Hiring Expected To Increase By 20% Compared To Last Year: Indeed

As India gears up for the festive season, businesses across the country are ramping up their hiring efforts. Data from Indeed, the global matching and hiring platform, indicates a projected 20 per cent increase in seasonal jobs compared to last year. The demand is not just rising in the metros, but Tier 2 and 3 cities are now emerging as the real engines of growth, according to the latest Indeed data.

The Geographic Shift: Tier 2 & 3 Cities Rise

In major metros like Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, and Kolkata, there is an 18-20 per cent increase compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, Tier 2 and 3 cities such as Nagpur, Jaipur, Vadodara, Kochi, Vizag, Madurai, Lucknow, Gurugram, Chandigarh, Indore, Coimbatore, Surat, Bhubaneswar, and Bhopal are experiencing an even higher surge, with a 22-25 per cent increase in hiring. 

This growth reflects several factors driving demand in smaller cities. As companies look to expand their market reach and tap into new customer bases, they are increasingly focusing on Tier 2 and 3 cities, where consumer spending is rising due to improving economic conditions and growing disposable incomes. Additionally, the increased internet penetration and digital adoption in these regions have enabled e-commerce, retail, and logistics companies to drive better customer experiences, creating more demand for a flexible workforce that can handle seasonal spikes in activity.

Top 5 Job Roles in Demand this Festive Season:

Indeed’s data reveals the top five roles expected to see the highest increase in hiring this festive season:

Note: The percentages provided denote the expected increase in hiring for specific temporary and gig job roles in India during the festive season, compared to previous quarters.

Industries Driving Seasonal Job Postings

Several industries are showing a marked increase in demand for seasonal workers compared to the previous year: 

Note: The percentages listed above represent the estimated share of the total seasonal workforce demand attributed to each industry in India for the year 2024.

E-commerce leads the trend with a 35 per cent increase in demand, fueled by the rapid growth of online shopping and a need for more delivery executives and warehouse staff to manage higher order volumes and ensure timely deliveries. Logistics follows, as companies ramp up their workforce to support the increased transportation, warehousing, and delivery activities necessary for a smooth supply chain.

The retail sector is also experiencing a boost in hiring to handle increased foot traffic and enhance customer engagement, particularly for in-store sales executives and customer care representatives. Similarly, quick commerce shows an 11 per cent rise in demand for delivery personnel and fulfillment staff, reflecting the growing consumer preference for ultra-fast delivery services.

In the BFSI sector, the need for customer service roles and sales executives is rising due to greater demand for financial products. Consumer products are scaling up to manage higher production and distribution needs. Meanwhile, tourism and hospitality are adding staff to accommodate the renewed interest in travel, and manufacturing is bolstering its workforce to maintain production levels and manage supply chains efficiently during the festive period.