Royal Mail has announced plans to hire a record 33,000 temporary workers this Christmas – an increase of two-thirds on usual levels.
The news comes as UK retailers prepare for a frenzy of online Christmas shopping due to covid-19, with over half of consumers planning to buy more online presents this festive season.
Royal Mail traditionally hires 20,000 temporary staff to cope with the Christmas rush but, with the pandemic forcing shoppers online as high streets close across the country, an extra 13,000 temps will be brought in this year.
The extra staff will help with deliveries and in sorting offices and data centres.
Sally Ashford, chief human resources officer at the Royal Mail, said: “During these unprecedented times we believe it is critical that Royal Mail continues to deliver.
“We want to do our best to deliver Christmas for our customers and support the effort on the pandemic. This helps the whole country to celebrate and stay safe during these difficult times.”
Retail analysts predict that online shopping will eclipse high street shopping this year for the first time – 31% of shopping was done online last Christmas – as the pandemic forces a significant change in consumer behaviour.
In line with this, a Post Office survey has revealed that more than one in five people (22%) have already decided to send gifts via the post rather than giving them in person this year, whilst over half (51%) plan to buy more presents online this year.
Many retailers have been forced to adapt to the changing marketplace and their packaging needs have changed as a result, with mailing bag orders on the up as online transactions increasingly supplement in-store sales.
For those retailers who may be new to e-commerce, the good news is that the choice of mailing bags available on the market today has never been greater.
Leading UK manufacturer Polybags has recently expanded their market-leading range of eco-packaging with a number of new eco-friendly mailing bags, including starch-based compostable mailers and carbon-neutral renewable I’m Green mailers.
These new eco-friendly postage solutions supplement Polybags’ extensive range of mailing bags, which has something to meet every business’ delivery needs this Christmas – from extra-strong heavy duty mailers to sparkling bubble-lined mailers.
Mark Siviter, managing director of mails and retail at the Post Office, said: “We know this Christmas will be unlike any most of us have ever experienced, but our desire to show loved ones we care about them through cards and gift giving hasn’t diminished.
“We know we’ll be extra busy this year and there will be extra Christmas helpers in branch to support. We are also urging everyone to plan ahead by posting early and visiting branches during off-peak hours where possible.”
