Key Highlights
- India’s 2026 festive season could generate 2.5–2.7 lakh temporary and gig jobs.
- Festive hiring is expected to grow 15–20% year-on-year.
- E-commerce, logistics, quick commerce, organised retail and BFSI are expected to drive demand.
- Around 45% of workforce demand is projected to come from Tier II and Tier III cities.
- Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad are facing the sharpest talent shortages.
- Temporary wages could rise 12–15% in metro markets and 8–10% in smaller cities.
- Around 80% of employers are experiencing shortages in frontline and operational roles.
- Nearly 25% of seasonal workers could transition into longer-term assignments.
Mumbai, August 17: India’s festive season hiring is expected to generate between 2.5 lakh and 2.7 lakh temporary and gig jobs this year, driven by strong demand across e-commerce, logistics, quick commerce, organised retail and banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI).
According to a report by talent company Adecco India, temporary and gig hiring during the 2026 festive season is expected to increase 15–20% year-on-year.
The projected hiring comes on top of an estimated 2.16 lakh festive jobs created across the organised sector last year.
Consumer Demand Drives Hiring
Domestic consumption is expected to remain the primary driver of festive-season employment, particularly across consumer-facing industries.
Adecco India said employers continue to maintain strong hiring intent despite a more complicated global business environment.
At the same time, companies are taking a more cautious approach because of geopolitical developments, energy price volatility, changing global trade conditions and uncertainty in export-oriented industries.
The combination of strong domestic demand and cautious workforce planning is expected to shape the festive hiring market this year.
Smaller Cities Lead Demand
Tier II and Tier III cities are expected to account for around 45% of workforce demand during the festive season.
Cities such as Lucknow, Bhubaneswar, Jaipur and Coimbatore are seeing increased hiring activity as e-commerce penetration expands, organised retail grows and consumer spending increases beyond India’s major metros.
The trend highlights the growing importance of smaller cities in India’s consumption-driven economy.
For employers, expanding recruitment beyond major urban centres could help them access a larger pool of seasonal workers.
Metro Cities Face Talent Crunch
While smaller cities are expected to generate a large share of new demand, major metropolitan areas are facing significant talent shortages.
Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad are witnessing the sharpest talent crunch, with workforce mobility and the growing preference for gig work making recruitment and retention more difficult.
The shortage is particularly visible in frontline and operational positions, where companies require large numbers of workers within a short period during the festive sales cycle.
Temporary Wages Set To Rise
The shortage of available workers is also expected to push temporary wages higher.
According to the report, temporary wages could increase by 12–15% in metropolitan markets during the festive period.
In Tier II and Tier III cities, wages are expected to rise by around 8–10%.
The increase reflects the competition among employers for workers during a period when e-commerce orders, retail footfall, deliveries and customer-service requirements typically rise sharply.
Operational Roles Drive Demand
This year’s festive hiring is expected to focus less on creating new categories of jobs and more on scaling up existing operational positions.
Retail sales associates, customer support representatives, field sales executives, merchandisers and manufacturing operators are expected to remain among the most sought-after profiles.
These roles will be particularly important as companies prepare for faster order fulfilment, increased store activity and improved customer experience during the festive period.
Digital And Language Skills Matter
Employers are increasingly looking for candidates who combine operational skills with digital proficiency and strong communication abilities.
Multilingual candidates fluent in languages including Hindi, English, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Marathi are expected to have an advantage in customer-facing and operational roles.
Adaptability, digital literacy and communication skills are also becoming important differentiators as businesses increasingly use technology across retail, logistics, e-commerce and BFSI operations.
Talent Shortage Remains Challenge
Despite the strong hiring outlook, the availability of suitable workers remains a major concern for employers.
Adecco India estimates that around 80% of employers are experiencing shortages across frontline and operational positions during this year’s festive hiring cycle.
The report estimates a 10–15% gap between workforce demand and supply during the peak recruitment period.
This shortage could put additional pressure on businesses to improve wages, recruitment processes and worker retention strategies.
Seasonal Jobs Could Become Permanent
The festive hiring season could also serve as an entry point into India’s organised workforce.
Nearly 25% of seasonal associates are expected to transition into longer-term assignments after the festive period, according to the report.
This indicates that temporary hiring is increasingly becoming more than a short-term workforce solution, with companies using festive recruitment to identify workers who can eventually move into longer-term roles.
The Adecco India report is based on inputs from more than 100 clients and additional market research sources.
India’s festive season hiring could generate 2.5–2.7 lakh temporary and gig jobs in 2026.
