Tesco Ireland has launched its 2026 festive recruitment drive with 1,725 temporary roles across its store network, more than 600 above last year, giving HR and talent acquisition teams in retail a benchmark for seasonal hiring scale as the business expands its stores and online operations.

Tesco Ireland is the Irish retail operation of Tesco, employing 13,500 permanent colleagues.

The strategic logic matches seasonal capacity to network growth. The increase of more than 600 roles reflects the expansion of Tesco’s store network and online operations across Ireland this year.

Maurice Kelly, people director at Tesco Ireland, said: “These roles will help us support customers during the busy festive period while creating valuable employment opportunities in communities across Ireland.”

Kelly said the roles also suit people seeking additional hours over Christmas, returning to work or trying retail for the first time.

The structural driver is the pathway to permanent work: after the festive period, temporary colleagues can apply for available permanent roles in existing stores or in new Tesco locations planned to open in 2027.

The roles are spread across the country, including 340 in Dublin, 182 in Cork, 40 in Louth, 22 in Donegal and 20 in Laois, and run until the end of December.

Applications are open online through Tesco Careers, and Tesco encourages candidates to apply as soon as possible.

Successful applicants join across three start dates, 2 November, 9 November and 16 November, with shifts across early mornings, daytime and evenings to suit applicants fitting work around other commitments.

Temporary colleagues gain access to Tesco’s wider reward and benefits package, including a virtual GP service, free food and an employee assistance programme, while existing employees working less than full-time hours can take on additional hours.

The drive compares with 700 temporary seasonal roles Tesco Ireland announced in 2020, according to the European Restructuring Monitor.

For the sector, the drive shows a retailer sizing seasonal hiring to network and online growth while using temporary roles as a route into permanent positions.

Source: Tesco Ireland / Echo / Dublin Gazette