Data from hiring platform Indeed has found the UK’s seasonal jobs market remains subdued, even although jobseeker interest in Christmas work is holding up.
As of the 2nd October, seasonal job postings were 43 per cent below their 2018 level – a steeper decline than across the wider UK jobs market, where postings have fallen 32 per cent over the same period. Meanwhile, search levels remain broadly in line with last year. The 2025 and 2026 readings were the two strongest early-October shares recorded since at least 2018.
Despite strong jobseeker interest, the subdued seasonal jobs market comes amid wider weakness in UK hiring. Overall UK job postings are down 11 per cent since the start of 2026 and stand 32 per cent below their February 2020 baseline.
The decline reflects broader pressure on hiring, with most occupational categories recording year-on-year falls, including retail and hospitality. Employers continue to operate in an environment characterised by economic uncertainty and cost pressures.
Retail and sales roles dominate the most common seasonal job titles, with seasonal associate being the most in-demand job title, followed by sales assistant and operations assistant. The logistics side also makes it into the top ten this year, with operations assistants, mail sorters and seasonal warehouse associates appearing among the most common titles.
The weakness in seasonal hiring forms part of a broader reduction in opportunities for younger workers. Graduate job postings are down around 13 per cent year-on-year as of 2nd October and stand at their lowest level for this point in the year since 2020. Summer job postings, covering temporary and seasonal roles in sectors including hospitality, retail, tourism and events, had one of their weakest summers in four years.
Together, the findings point to a tightening of two important entry routes into employment: graduates are competing for fewer early-career roles, while students and school leavers are facing reduced access to the seasonal jobs that often provide their first experience of work.
“Subdued seasonal hiring echoes a generally weak UK labour market,” said Jack Kennedy, Senior Economist at Indeed. “Seasonal job postings remain low even as searches for Christmas work are among the strongest for early October since at least 2018. For people relying on seasonal work to help manage household costs at an expensive time of year, that could mean greater competition for available roles.
“Hiring demand remains muted across most parts of the economy, while cost of living pressures persist amid rising inflation,” he added. “The data suggests that young people and other jobseekers looking for a temporary bridge into work are facing a narrower set of opportunities.”
