Hermes to create 10,500 new jobs as locked down Brits turn to online shopping
Delivery giant Hermes will create more than 10,000 new jobs in the UK as it invests £100 million to meet the demand from stay-at-home shoppers.
Hermes said it is dealing with a massive spike in online shopping caused by the coronavirus lockdown.
It will take on around 1,500 new full-time staff, including workers at its Yorkshire head office, warehouse staff, and drivers.
It will also create another 9,000 opportunities for self-employed couriers up and down the country.
Shoppers have turned to the internet instead of the closed high street during lockdown.
High street retailers are trying to attract more customers through their doors after shops were allowed to reopen.
However, Hermes said it thought online shopping would not lose ground even as the high street welcomes customers back.
“The pandemic has expedited the already phenomenal growth of online shopping and we see no sign of this changing,” said Chief Executive Martijn de Lange.
It could prove a further headache for physical retailers who were already feeling the pinch before the pandemic.
Hermes said it is preparing for a massive Christmas season, and expects to carry around 3.5 million parcels a day during the period, nearly double last year.
“As a result, it is important that we have the right infrastructure and people in place to support this,” said Mr de Lange.
“This is good news for the many people who have sadly had their income affected and we are pleased to be able to support the UK economy with so many jobs at this time.
“In that first fortnight of lockdown we had thousands of applications from pub staff, chefs, children’s entertainers, dog walkers, pub singers, beauticians, hairdressers, pilots and many, many others. We look forward to welcoming our new recruits over the coming weeks.”
Hermes UK said it had already invested more than £30 million in its operations, part of which was used to open 90 new sub-depots, and buy new vans.
On Monday, in another blow to the UK high street, Marks and Spencer announced it would axe 950 store management and head office roles.
Earlier this month, Boots, John Lewis and Rolls-Royce all announced plans to scale back on staff with up to 10,000 job cuts.