Tesco to hire 28,000 Christmas workers with pay starting at £13.28 an hour

Tesco is recruiting 28,000 extra workers for Christmas, with festive jobs paying from £13.28 an hour and no previous experience needed.

The supermarket giant is looking for temporary staff to help keep its stores running smoothly during one of the busiest periods of the year. The roles will mainly be based in Tesco's Superstores and Extra branches, with workers helping customers on the shop floor or picking items for home delivery. And there could be plenty of options for people hoping to fit a seasonal job around other commitments.

Tesco says shifts will be available throughout the day, including early mornings and evenings, with opportunities for applicants to find hours that suit them. Some vacancies are already listed online, while further roles are expected to be added throughout October. Pay starts at £13.28 an hour, rising to £14.55 for roles inside the M25. Staff working night shifts can also receive an additional £2.35 an hour.

The supermarket announced the recruitment drive on October 3 and says some temporary workers could have the chance to move into permanent positions after Christmas, depending on vacancies. For anyone worried about applying, Tesco says there's no need to have previous experience – or even a CV. Instead, the company says it wants people who can bring a helpful attitude, warmth and enthusiasm to the job.

Ela Golab, Tesco Group's people services director, said: "We're excited to be recruiting festive colleagues to help make this a season to remember for our customers. We're looking for people who can bring warmth, enthusiasm and a helpful service to every shopping trip."

She added that the retailer was also keen to hear from people interested in staying on after the festive period and building a longer-term career with the business. "No day is ever the same and festive colleagues will be able to feel the impact they make on every shift as they send customers home with a smile," she said. "What's more, no experience is necessary – just the right attitude."

Interviews are being held in person and are expected to last around 30 minutes. Anyone interested in joining Tesco for the festive season can browse available vacancies and apply online at the supermarket's festive careers page.