Sainsbury’s is currently hiring thousands of temporary staff to help it “deliver an exceptional Christmas for customers” this year.
With the festive season now practically within our sights, and most British supermarkets having already unveiled their Christmas food and drink ranges for 2023, Sainsbury’s is gearing up for what is always one of the busiest times for the retail industry by launching a massive UK-wide seasonal recruitment drive.
The supermarket says its stores and warehouses have already started to prepare themselves for the festive season, and is looking for an army of temporary workers to join teams across the country to help along the way.
22,000 temporary Christmas will be hired in total, with 2,000 of those being at Argos outlets housed within selected Sainsbury’s stores.
Sainsbury’s is calling on temporary colleagues “even earlier than usual this year”, and some have aleady started in their new roles in a bid to make sure there’s enough hands on deck ready to help and serve shoppers in the run up to the big day itself.
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With a wide range of roles available, the tens of thousands of temporary staff across the UK – including here in Greater Manchester – will be tasked with serving customers, restocking shelves, and fulfilling online orders by picking, packing, and delivering.
Then, in the supermarket’s depots and fulfilment centres, colleagues will work in warehouses to ensure products reach homes and stores nationwide ready for customers to enjoy.
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All temporary staff will be employed on fixed-term contracts that range from three to 12 weeks.
The roles also come with a number of staff perks too, as in a bid to “further support and reward colleagues with festive season expenses”, Sainsbury’s has made the decision to bump its 10% colleague discount offer up to 15% every Friday and Saturday, with an additional 15% off at Argos every payday Friday.
Temporary Christmas staff will now also receive a second discount card for a family member or friend at the same address, and free food during their shifts too.
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Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year for Sainsbury’s / Credit: Hazel Nicholson (via Flickr)
“With Christmas just around the corner, we’re gearing up to serve our customers brilliantly this festive season,” commented Sainsbury’s Chief People Officer, Prerana Issar, as the supermarket launched the seasonal recruitment drive.
“This is the busiest time in the retail calendar, and we’re looking for people with a passion for good food who can thrive in a fast-paced environment and are committed to providing brilliant customer service.
“This is a perfect opportunity to kickstart a career with Sainsbury’s, and we can’t wait to welcome new and returning faces this Christmas.”
Fancy it then? If you’re keen to join the Sainsbury’s or Argos teams across the UK this Christmas, then head on over to the Sainsbury’s recruitment website here to apply, or pop into your nearby store for more information.
Featured Image – Sainsbury’s
Business
Pubs can extend their opening hours if England make it to the Euro 2024 semi-finals
Emily Sergeant
Pubs are to be permitted to extend their opening hours if England make it through to the semi-finals of EURO 2024 this summer.
With the Premier League, and the English and Scottish football leagues, all drawing to a close over the next couple of weeks, our nations are already looking ahead to what is gearing up to be a massive summer of sport – with both the UEFA EURO 2024, and the 2024 Olympics coming up before August is out.
And now, it’s been revealed by Home Secretary James Cleverly that if either England or Scotland’s mens national football teams make it to the semi-final of European football’s flagship tournament, then pubs will be allowed to stay open for longer.
But, there’s a bit of a catch… because isn’t there always?
The Government has said that venues will be allowed to stay open for an extra two hours on match days if either or both teams reach the last four or the final of the competition, but this only applies to pubs that already have a license to open until 11pm anyway.
Pubs can extend their opening hours if England make it to the Euro 2024 semi-finals / Credit: Piqsels | Wikimedia Commons
The move to extend opening hours comes after a consultation at the end of last year, and is hoped to provide a boost to the hospitality industry – which has notably been hit hard during the ongoing cost of living crisis.
The Home Secretaries in England and Wales, under Section 172 of the Licensing Act 2003, can make an order relaxing licensing hours to mark occasions of “exceptional national significance”, but the Scottish and Northern Irish Governments have to set their own rules.
“We have listened to the public through our consultation,” explained Home Secretary James Cleverley, “and we will be extending pub licensing hours should England or Scotland reach the semi-finals or final of Euro 2024.”
The EURO 2024 semi-finals are to be held on Tuesday 9 and Wednesday 10 July / Credit: UEFA
Mr Cleverley said the move will “allow friends, families and communities to come together for longer to watch their nation hopefully bring it home”.
This legislation is set to be laid in Parliament today (Wednesday 8 May) to ensure there is enough time for it to be debated and passed before the tournament begins on Friday 14 June, the Government has confirmed.
WeWork is closing its enormous office in Spinningfields, with tenants told to move out
Daisy Jackson
Co-working giant WeWork has announced the shock closure of its flagship space in Manchester, an enormous unit in the heart of Spinningfields.
Those who rent desks or offices within the space have been served notice to move out by the end of the month.
It’s understood that WeWork’s three remaining locations in Manchester are unaffected.
The US-based workspace company first moved into the 60,000sq ft unit at No.1 Spinningfields in 2017, offering flexible solutions to businesses of varying sizes.
But in the last few years it’s faced major financial difficulties, with WeWork eventually filing for bankruptcy in the States.
It was previously valued at $47 billion before its bankruptcy overseas.
On the closure of its huge Manchester office, a WeWork spokesperson said: “As part of WeWork’s efforts to achieve a sustainable capital structure and profitable business to serve our members for the long term, we have made the decision to stop operating at No1 Spinningfields in Manchester.
“We look forward to continuing to provide our members with flexible space solutions across our other locations in the city and the rest of the UK, which remains a key market for us.”
An email sent to tenants said: “After carefully evaluating our offerings in Manchester, we have made the decision to stop operating at WeWork No 1 Spinningfields… the move out will occur by 31 May 2024.
“We understand this may cause disruption to your business and are very sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.”
Have you been affected by WeWork’s Manchester closure? Email [email protected] who can help with central, flexible office spaces.