London, UK: UK supermarkets are upbeat about expectations for consumer spending over Christmas. Tesco, Britain’s largest retailer, plans to recruit 30,000 temporary workers for the Christmas period and said it was upbeat about prospects for Christmas trading.
The jobs would mainly be in its larger supermarkets with roles on checkouts, store replenishment and picking orders for home delivery. Last year Tesco initially planned to recruit 15,000 temporary workers but ended up taking on 30,000. Sainsbury’s said it was recruiting 22,000 temporary staff for the festive season. Also last week Morrisons and Aldi said they were hiring 3,500 and 3,000 extra staff respectively. The statement come as almost one in three British adults expect to spend less on Christmas this year, with most blaming the rising cost of living, according to survey data published by PwC on Monday. It said just under 80% of those who plan to spend less cited increasing food and energy costs, while just over 20% pointed to higher mortgage or rent payments.
According to PwC’s survey, 18% of British adults expect to spend more on Christmas this year, with just over half saying they will spend the same as last year.
