Christmas might still feel a little way off, but for warehouses, retailers, distribution centres and e-commerce businesses, the busy season is already approaching.
With Black Friday, Cyber Monday and the Christmas shopping period all on the horizon, October is the ideal time for businesses to start planning their seasonal staffing requirements.
Every year, demand increases rapidly as we move towards November and December. More deliveries arrive, order volumes increase, stock needs to be picked and packed faster, and additional staff are often required for goods-in, dispatch and general warehouse duties.
The businesses that plan early put themselves in the best position to deal with that increased demand.
Why Start Planning in October?
One of the biggest challenges during the Christmas period isn’t knowing that things will get busy – it’s making sure you have enough reliable staff available when you need them.
Leaving recruitment until the last minute can mean competing with other employers for experienced warehouse workers at exactly the same time.
Planning your staffing requirements in October gives you time to identify where additional support will be needed and put the right people in place before the peak arrives.
It also means temporary staff have an opportunity to become familiar with your warehouse, systems and working practices before your busiest weeks.
Where Might You Need Extra Staff?
Seasonal demand can affect almost every part of a warehouse operation.
At Gibbons Recruitment, we regularly provide temporary and agency staff for roles including:
- Warehouse Operatives
- Pickers and Packers
- Forklift Drivers
- Goods-In Staff
- Dispatch Staff
- Loading and Unloading
- Stocktaking
- General Warehouse Support
Whether you require one additional person or a larger team, temporary staffing allows you to increase your workforce when demand rises without committing to permanent additional headcount.
Flexibility During Your Busiest Period
One of the biggest advantages of using temporary agency staff is flexibility.
Christmas demand doesn’t always follow a predictable pattern. A sudden increase in orders, an unexpected delivery, staff absence or a large stocktake can quickly put pressure on an existing team.
Having access to additional temporary workers allows businesses to respond quickly.
You might need extra staff for a single day, several weeks or throughout the entire Christmas period. Your requirements may also change from week to week.
A flexible workforce gives you the ability to increase staffing levels when you need them and reduce them again when the seasonal peak passes.
Black Friday Comes Earlier Than Christmas
For many businesses, the Christmas rush now begins well before December.
Black Friday falls on 27 November 2026, with Cyber Monday following shortly afterwards. For warehouses supporting retail and e-commerce operations, preparation needs to begin considerably earlier.
Stock has to arrive, be processed and be ready for increased order volumes before the promotions even begin.
That makes October an important month for workforce planning.
Ask yourself:
Do we have enough staff if order volumes increase significantly?
Could our current team cope with unexpected absence during a busy week?
Will we require additional pickers, packers or forklift drivers?
Are there particular weeks when we already know additional support will be required?
If the answer to any of these questions is uncertain, now is a good time to start planning.
Local Warehouse Staff When You Need Them
Through Gibbons Recruitment and WarehouseStaff.ie, we help businesses across Dublin, Meath, Kildare and surrounding areas source temporary warehouse staff.
We understand that warehouse recruitment often needs to move quickly. Employers don’t always have weeks to advertise a position, review applications and conduct multiple interviews.
Sometimes you simply need reliable people ready to work.
That’s where an experienced recruitment agency can help.
We take care of the recruitment process, allowing your team to concentrate on running the operation.
Don’t Wait Until the Christmas Rush Arrives
The best time to solve a staffing shortage is before it becomes one.
If you expect your warehouse, distribution centre or retail operation to get busier during November and December, October is the time to start the conversation.
Even if you don’t know exactly how many additional staff you will require yet, we can discuss your likely requirements and help you prepare.
Need Extra Warehouse Staff This Christmas?
Whether you need one additional warehouse operative, a forklift driver, stocktake staff or a larger temporary team, Gibbons Recruitment can help.
Visit WarehouseStaff.ie to find out more about our specialist warehouse staffing service, or contact the Gibbons Recruitment team to discuss your requirements.
Gibbons Recruitment – Work Your Way.