As September comes to a close, the post-summer lift we hoped for has very much started to come through.
We expected activity to ramp up after the August Bank Holiday weekend, and that is exactly what has happened. In fact, we have qualified more new vacancies in September than we did across July and August combined.
The opportunities have also been varied, with demand coming through across engineering, sales and consultancy. Contract requirements continue to be a strong part of the picture too, particularly across delivery, consultancy and engineering, as businesses look for specialist support to keep projects moving.
It is not just something we are seeing internally. The positive month we have experienced is also being reflected in conversations with vendors, agencies and other peers across the recruitment sector. The market still feels measured, but there is definitely more movement, more confidence and more intent than there was during the summer.
September has been a strong month for the business, and our pipeline continues to build as we head into October.
That said, it is worth being realistic. While demand is improving, contractor day rates and permanent salaries are not moving at the same pace. In many areas, they are still some way off where they were a couple of years ago.
So, overall, the direction of travel feels positive. There is more activity, more variety and more confidence in the market, but still a need for both clients and candidates to stay close to where expectations are now, rather than where they were at the peak of the market.
Market Spotlight + Top 5 eCommerce Stories This Month
- Primark confirms plans to launch home delivery in Great Britain, marking a major shift in its ecommerce strategy as one of retail’s long-standing online holdouts expands beyond click and collect READ MORE
- The Entertainer plans a major ecommerce overhaul with THG Commerce, introducing AI-powered shopping assistance, improved search and richer digital journeys as toy retailers invest in more connected online and store experiences READ MORE
- Tesco trials virtual try-on technology for F&F clothing, allowing shoppers to digitally try around 1,500 products in-store as fashion retailers bring more interactive digital experiences into physical retail READ MORE
- M&S, New Look, Sainsbury’s and Oxfam join forces on a circular textile initiative, aiming to build new recycling value chains as retailers look for more scalable ways to reduce fashion waste READ MORE
- Evri trials an automated neighbourhood parcel hub in Bristol, using robotics to bring deliveries closer to customers as parcel networks test more flexible, convenient and sustainable last-mile models READ MORE
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