Sainsbury’s and Argos hiring 17,500 people for Christmas – what they pay
Key Points
- Sainsbury's and Argos are hiring 17,500 seasonal workers in the UK.
- The intake is down from 19,000 seasonal roles in 2025.
- In-store pay runs from £13.23 an hour, or £14.54 in London.
- Driver pay reaches £16.04 an hour, up to 69p above last year.
- Sainsbury's denied KickStarter, the Argos split or employment law caused the cut.
Sainsbury’s and Argos are hiring 17,500 seasonal workers across the UK, with pay reaching £16.04 an hour.
Sainsbury’s announced the recruitment drive on Monday (5 October), covering its supermarkets, convenience stores, warehouses, Argos stores and online fulfilment operations.
This year’s intake is 1,500 roles smaller than last year’s, when Sainsbury’s said it would recruit 19,000 seasonal workers, made up of 17,000 at Sainsbury’s and 2,000 at Argos.
Sainsbury’s published the following hourly pay rates for this year’s seasonal roles, which vary by location and role:
- In-store jobs: £13.23 to £14.54 an hour
- Argos driver jobs: £14.23 to £15.54 an hour
- Sainsbury’s driver jobs: £14.73 to £16.04 an hour
The in-store base rate of £13.23 applies nationally, rising to £14.54 for workers in London.
Driver rates sit 63p to 69p an hour above last year’s ranges, when Argos drivers earned £13.60 to £14.85 and Sainsbury’s drivers earned £14.10 to £15.35.
Sainsbury’s said it has raised hourly pay by 42% over the past five years.
Seasonal workers get free food during shifts and an uncapped 10% discount at Sainsbury’s and Argos. The discount rises to 15% every Friday and Saturday at Sainsbury’s.
Contracts run for between four and 12 weeks, and applicants can apply through the Sainsbury’s Christmas Job Opportunities page or at their local store.
“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,” said Tracey Clements, Chief Retail, Logistics and Supply Chain Officer at Sainsbury’s.
Sainsbury’s denied that its new KickStarter work experience programme played any part in the smaller intake.
The retailer said KickStarter participants will not work in stores or replace store colleagues. They will instead take part in practical skills sessions, meet colleagues and visit stores.
Sainsbury’s also rejected suggestions that the separation of Argos or recent changes to employment law and contracted hours drove the reduction.
The retailer said it reviews its seasonal recruitment needs every year to put the right number of workers in each role and location.
Permanent jobs will depend on the needs of each store or site, and seasonal workers can apply for suitable roles, Sainsbury’s said.
