Bengaluru, 5th September 2024: 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% 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% 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% 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:
| Job titles | % increase in job postings |
| Delivery executives | 30% |
| Warehouse workers (Packaging, Labeling, and Order Fulfillment Staff) | 25% |
| Logistics Coordinator | 20% |
| In-store sales executives | 15% |
| Customer care executives | 15% |
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.
Sashi Kumar, Head of Sales, Indeed India said, “The increased hiring in tier 2 regions recognizes the untapped potential of these markets. The festive season is a crucial period for businesses across India, and we’re 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 behaviours of today’s consumers. This is where the future of India’s job market could be heading.”
Industries Driving Seasonal Job Postings
Several industries are showing a marked increase in demand for seasonal workers compared to the previous year:
| Top Industries | % increase in job postings |
| E-commerce | 35% |
| Logistics | 15% |
| Retail | 14% |
| Quick commerce | 11% |
| BFSI | 9% |
| Consumer products | 8% |
| Tourism & hospitality | 5% |
| Manufacturing | 3% |
E-commerce leads the trend with a 35% 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% 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.
Methodology
This survey was conducted by Valuvox on behalf of Indeed among 1,137 employers and 2,543 jobseekers and employees. The respondents were segregated into 9 cities and further categorized into large, medium, and small organizations and sectors.
Disclaimer: The information in this press release is provided for general informational purposes only. All content is accurate as of the date of publication but may be subject to change. The company assumes no responsibility for any errors or omissions, and all opinions expressed are those of the author.