Avenue Supermarts to Bata India: Retailers are now hiring, but on contract

According to a TeamLease report for the quarter, the intent to hire in retail is higher in the June-September quarter than the April-June period

Reversing a trend of declining jobs in 2020-21 when most retailers fired staff and imposed a hiring freeze amid dwindling sales and lockdowns, they have stepped up hiring. But many have resorted to increasing employees under contract, as opposed to taking them on payroll.

Titan Company added 45 per cent more contractual employees in 2021-22 (FY22), compared to the 0.4 per cent rise seen in permanent employees during the year. Bata India, on the other hand, saw its permanent headcount come down 2.2 per cent in FY22, but saw its contractual employees increase to 4,273, from 3,729 in the