Monday, 5 October 2026 - Sainsbury’s and Argos is launching a nationwide Christmas recruitment drive, with 17,500 roles available across the UK to deliver the brilliant customer service we’re known for during the busiest and most exciting time of the year.
Seasonal colleagues will support teams across Sainsbury’s supermarkets, convenience stores, warehouses, Argos stores and online fulfilment operations, helping customers shop for everything they need this Christmas. From keeping shelves stocked with festive favourites to picking online orders and supporting deliveries, the new roles will play an important part in helping millions of households enjoy a memorable festive season.
To help colleagues through the busy festive period, Sainsbury’s offers free food during shifts and an uncapped colleague discount of 10% at Sainsbury’s and Argos, rising to 15% every Friday and Saturday at Sainsbury’s.
Tracey Clements, Chief Retail, Logistics and Supply Chain Officer at Sainsbury’s, said: “Christmas is always a special time for our customers and colleagues and our seasonal team members help make it happen. We look forward to welcoming thousands of new colleagues who will help us deliver great-tasting festive food, brilliant service and fantastic value across our stores, fulfilment centres and delivery operations. Whether someone is joining us for the first time or returning for another Christmas, they’ll play an important role in helping customers celebrate.”
Seasonal colleagues will be employed on fixed-term contracts ranging from four to 12 weeks. To apply, visit Sainsburys Christmas Job Opportunities or speak to your local store for more information.
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Note to editors:
In-store Jobs: £13.23 to £14.54p/h*
Argos Driver Jobs: £14.23 - £15.54 p/h*
Sainsbury's Driver Jobs: £14.73 - £16.04 p/h*
*Varies by location and role
FAQs
We review our seasonal recruitment needs each year to make sure we have the right number of colleagues in the right places to support customers over Christmas. This year, we’re recruiting 17,500 seasonal colleagues across Sainsbury’s and Argos, alongside our existing teams, to help us deliver brilliant customer service during the busy festive period.
No. Our KickStarter work experience programme is entirely separate from our seasonal recruitment plans. It does not involve working in our stores and participants will not carry out the roles of store colleagues or replace them. Instead, participants will take part in a series of hands-on experiences, including practical skills sessions, meeting colleagues and store visits, to build confidence and gain insight into the world of work. We review our seasonal recruitment needs each year to make sure we have the right number of colleagues in the right places to deliver a brilliant service to our customers over Christmas.
No. The number of seasonal Argos roles reflects what the business needs to support customers this Christmas. We review our recruitment needs each year to make sure we have the right number of colleagues in the right roles and locations during the busy festive period.
No. The number of seasonal roles reflects what the business and our stores need to support customers this Christmas. We review our recruitment needs each year to make sure we have the right number of colleagues in the right roles and locations during the busy festive period.
We’re committed to fair and competitive pay and have increased hourly pay by 42 per cent over the past five years, alongside a strong benefits package including free food during shifts and colleague discount. Pay varies by role and location to reflect the different responsibilities involved and local market conditions. From March 2026, our base hourly rate is £13.23 nationally and £14.54 in London, with higher rates for driving roles.
These roles are being recruited on fixed-term contracts to support our customers during the busy festive period. Any permanent opportunities will be based on the needs of each local store or site and seasonal colleagues are welcome to apply for suitable roles.