Yodel to hire 3,000 workers for busy holiday season

Yodel, a parcel delivery company, is gearing up for the busy holiday season by planning to hire over 3,000 workers, including couriers and warehouse staff. This recruitment drive is part of their strategy to manage the anticipated surge in parcel deliveries, which is expected to increase by more than 50% in the coming months. The hiring initiative comes ahead of significant retail events like Black Friday and Christmas, which are crucial for the ecommerce sector. The company has secured an £85 million funding package from Paypoint and Independent Growth Finance to support its operations during this peak period. This financial backing is essential for Yodel, especially after narrowly avoiding collapse earlier in the year. The new roles will offer flexible working arrangements, allowing couriers to fit deliveries around their existing commitments, which could also lead to permanent positions in the future. Yodel's chief executive, Mike Hancox, emphasized the importance of expanding the workforce to meet the growing demand for parcel deliveries as online shopping continues to thrive. The company has a history of significant seasonal hiring, having previously recruited as many as 7,000 staff during peak times. With more than 190 million deliveries made annually across the UK, Yodel serves a variety of customers, including well-known brands like Gousto, Argos, Vinted, and Very Group. The upcoming recruitment drive reflects the company's commitment to enhancing its service capabilities during one of the busiest times of the year for retailers.