Tesco is recruiting 28,000 temporary workers across the UK ahead of Christmas, with hourly pay starting at £13.28 and higher rates available for staff working in London and on night shifts. The supermarket is offering positions in its larger stores, with applications open throughout October.
The recruitment drive covers Tesco Superstores and Extra branches, where temporary employees will help customers and prepare online grocery orders for home delivery. The company is also offering flexible shifts and the possibility of permanent employment after Christmas, where vacancies become available.
Tesco Christmas Jobs Offer Hourly Pay of up to £14.55 in London
Tesco announced its plans on 3 October, with recruitment continuing throughout the month as further vacancies become available. The supermarket is seeking temporary employees to support its stores during the busy Christmas shopping period.
The positions mainly involve serving customers, stocking shelves and picking grocery orders for home delivery. Most vacancies are based in Tesco Superstores and Extra branches, with working hours available across early mornings, daytime and evenings.
Hourly pay starts at £13.28 across the UK, rising to £14.55 for employees working in stores within the M25 boundary. Staff assigned to night shifts will receive an additional premium of £2.35 per hour.
The different shift patterns are intended to accommodate applicants with varying availability. Tesco has confirmed that opportunities will continue to be advertised during October, rather than all positions being released at once.
According to WalesOnline, applicants do not need previous retail experience or a CV to be considered. Interviews are conducted in person and are expected to last approximately 30 minutes. Applications can be submitted through the Tesco festive careers website, where candidates can search for available positions.
Temporary Christmas Roles Could Lead to Permanent Tesco Employment
Tesco has also confirmed that temporary workers may have opportunities to move into permanent positions after the festive period, provided suitable vacancies arise. The company is encouraging applications from people interested in longer-term employment as well as those seeking seasonal work.
Ela Golab, Tesco Group’s people services director, said the supermarket was looking for candidates who could provide helpful customer service during the Christmas period.
“We’re excited to be recruiting festive colleagues to help make this a season to remember for our customers,” she said. “We’re looking for people who can bring warmth, enthusiasm and a helpful service to every shopping trip.”
Golab also said Tesco wanted to hear from applicants interested in remaining with the company beyond Christmas and developing a career in retail.
According to Tesco’s official recruitment announcement from 17 October 2025, the supermarket recruited more than 28,500 temporary colleagues for that year’s Christmas season. The company also highlighted the experience of Emma Richardson Brown, who joined its Gainsborough store in November 2023 as a festive employee.
Richardson Brown subsequently became a shift leader in January 2024 before entering a management development scheme in February 2025. She later progressed to fresh food team manager at the same store. For the 2026 recruitment drive, Tesco has reiterated that previous experience is not a requirement. Candidates can apply online, with additional vacancies being advertised across the country throughout October.
