With the festive season and year-end approaching, UK warehouses are preparing for a significant increase in operational capacity. The shift of consumer demand toward e-commerce, tighter delivery windows, and heavier shipping flows are all placing pressure on logistics networks, all of which is driving demand for flexible, skilled warehouse labour.
Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that job vacancies across the transport and storage sectors remain high, despite a softening across broader markets. Further insight comes from Logistics UK, whose Q1 2025 Skills & Employment Update highlights strong demand for delivery drivers (up 22.9%), while many firms flag difficulties in recruiting HGV drivers, in part due to an ageing workforce.*
Against this backdrop, Clare Holmes, a warehousing and port recruitment consultant at A&S Recruitment, stresses that the seasonal hiring window is narrowing fast. “We’re already seeing a steep rise in requests from clients for warehouse operatives, forklift drivers, pickers, packers and shift leads,” says Clare. “They can’t afford gaps in their rosters now – every hour counts this time of year.”
A&S Recruitment’s value lies in flexible workforce solutions and rapid fill times. Clare and the team draw on a local, vetted candidate pool to meet urgent needs, often within hours. The agency also supports temp and temp-to-perm placements, enabling businesses to convert top performers into long-term hires.
“Every candidate undergoes full compliance checks—right-to-work, health & safety, performance standards. And our location right in the heart of Felixstowe’s port community enables us to offer both local insight and regional reach across East Anglia and beyond.”
With the A&S Recruitment team on call 24/7, ready to plug staffing gaps or help clients plan for peak needs, Clare adds: “Seasonal demand doesn’t have to throw operations off course. With smart forecasting, fast recruitment, and a focus on reliable candidates, warehouses can stay on track – manage peaks, maintain performance and protect morale through the busiest months.”
If you would like to find out more about how A&S Recruitment can assist with your seasonal warehousing needs, please get in touch with Clare on:
T: 1394 286051 Option 1
M: 0749 6385201
Originally posted on Porttalk (https://porttalk.co.uk/seasonal-surge-drives-demand-for-temporary-warehouse-workers/)