As Christmas approaches, demand for seasonal staff has surged, according to procurer of temporary agency labour de Poel.

The research shows retailers have already started preparations for the Christmas rush with a 39% increase in the use of temporary staff in September, compared to the same month last year.

The findings also show that the business services (13.53%) and manufacturing (8.52%) sectors increased their reliance of temporary agency labour, whereas decreases emerged in care (-24.42%), facilities (-3.61%), logistics (-4.26%) and waste management (-3.03%) sectors.

Matthew Sanders, chief executive of de Poel, says: “For most retailers the final four months of the year are all about Christmas preparations, which is reflected in the September figures. Last month, also saw many end of season sales with a lot of high street retailers trying to clear space and make way for Christmas stock. Both of these elements will have had a profound effect on the use of temporary agency labour in this sector.”