Online shopping increased in 2020

It’s no secret that 2020 has been the year for online shopping. As bricks and mortar stores have been forced to close their doors for the second time due to COVID-19, trends for online shopping have been growing exponentially. With this, 87% of British households have made an online purchase in the past year, and although this shift in customer behaviour is hardly new, the global pandemic has seen a rapid surge in the number of customers shopping online. By 2024 it is now estimated that almost a third of all purchases will be made online, showing that digital shopping is a trend that is unlikely to decrease anytime soon.

Increase in demand for warehouse employees

To facilitate the increased rise in online sales, many companies across the UK have scrambled to increase their warehouse capacity. This unprecedented increase in digital shopping has led to a soar in demand for not only larger physical warehouse space, but for skilled and reliable warehouse employees.

With Christmas fast approaching, M&S made an announcement last month that they are hiring 500 new employees to work in their distribution centre, to prepare for their most “digitally focused Christmas yet” (Retail Gazette). Delivery giant Amazon have also encouraged customers to buy their Christmas shopping in advance this year, as a bid to minimise delayed orders (The Telegraph). With this new transition in customer behaviour, it is hardly a surprise that the demand for logistical employees is growing.

However, it is not all plain sailing in the logistics and warehouse job market. Recent data compiled by leading recruitment company Monster in July 2020, showed that out of 2,600 employees and job seekers asked:

• 71% of employees in logistic, warehouse and delivery type roles said they would consider searching for a new role within the next 12 months
• 60% of warehouse, delivery and logistic employees spent their time during lockdown looking for a new role

Although the demand for these types of roles is increasing, employee satisfaction in the industry is considered low. Factors that could lead to poor job satisfaction include lack of support from Managers and CEOs, poor working conditions, low pay, not enough training, and lack of opportunity to progress in the firm.