The festive season is lighting up the ecommerce sector with a hiring spree unlike anything seen in recent years. Amazon and Flipkart are leading the charge, creating half a million seasonal jobs this year while making inclusivity a key focus. Female and differently abled workers are landing more temporary roles than ever before, signaling a shift toward a more diverse workforce in the gig economy.
According to CIEL HR, hiring has hit a three-year high. Amazon India is bringing on 35-40% more gig workers compared to previous years. Flipkart has gone even bigger, doubling its seasonal hiring numbers since 2024. Aakriti Chandra, Flipkart’s HR vice president, highlighted the company’s push for inclusivity, with more women and people with disabilities joining the workforce this season.
Why the surge? Ecommerce platforms are digging deeper into existing markets and expanding into smaller cities. After a slow summer, businesses are banking on festive sales to drive demand. The government’s recent GST rationalisation, which could lower prices across sectors, has also boosted optimism.
CIEL HR’s Aditya Mishra pointed out that this year’s hiring momentum is the strongest in the last two years. Flipkart alone has generated over 220,000 jobs for its Big Billion Days sale, up from 100,000 in the previous year. Amazon, meanwhile, is hiring over 150,000 seasonal workers, its highest in three years.
But it’s not just about numbers. Amazon India has onboarded thousands of female associates and over 2,000 people with disabilities. Shilpa Subhaschandra from Randstad India noted that muted summer sales and early monsoons pushed ecommerce and logistics firms to fast-track hiring ahead of the festive rush.
The most in-demand roles include delivery riders, warehouse associates, retail staff, and logistics coordinators. Salaries are looking competitive too. Delivery staff can earn between Rs 22,000 and Rs 32,000 monthly, including incentives, while retail workers may take home Rs 21,000 to Rs 27,000. Warehouse associates can expect Rs 17,000 to Rs 23,000 per month.
Flipkart is also expanding its logistics network, adding 650 temporary delivery hubs in tier-2 and 3 cities like Siliguri and Kundli. With consumer sentiment riding high and companies gearing up for record sales, this festive season is set to be a game-changer for gig workers across India.