Amazon is reportedly set to recruit more than 300,000 additional workers ahead of the Christmas trading period, marking its first increase in seasonal hiring in three years.

The company is ramping up recruitment by more than 20 per cent compared with the 250,000 workers it hired for the festive period in each of the previous three years.

The roles will span seasonal, part-time and full-time positions across its fulfilment centres, sorting facilities and delivery network.

Christmas retail sales are forecast to grow 4.2 per cent year on year to more than £750bn, according to the National Retail Federation.

Amazon said seasonal employees will earn an average of £15 per hour, with average hourly earnings reaching nearly £18.

Amazon is also expanding healthcare benefits for its workforce, with seasonal employees working at least 30 hours per week becoming eligible for the same healthcare coverage offered to regular full-time staff from January 2027.

Plans will start at £3.75 per week, with eligible new hires able to access coverage from their first day of employment once the changes take effect.

Amazon said new vacancies would be posted weekly from October through December as it gears up for the peak Christmas shopping period.

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