Wanted: Argos looking for 377 Christmas workers in West Midlands

The company wants 335 "customer helpers" to support Argos' 30 stores in the area to meet customer demand for toys, video games, technology and other popular gifts over the festive season.

In addition 42 drivers "with great customer service skills" are wanted to work as part of Argos' store to customer door distribution service during the peak shopping season, which it expects to be highly popular with customers looking for same-day delivery.

The retail chain said initial contracts for all vacancies were around three months, but held out the hope of some jobs becoming permanent at the end of the season where there were vacancies.

Recruits will be offered a minimum of 10 hours per week, with a minimum of six hours per week for weekend staff.

The recruitment is part of a nationwide hunt by Argos for 9,000 Christmas staff, with jobs available at stores across the UK, including more than 100 digital Argos stores.

Across the West Midlands Argos has stores in Wolverhampton, Bentley Bridge in Wednesfield, Bilston, Dudley, Walsall, Oldbury, Merry Hill, West Bromwich, Rugeley, Kidderminster, two in Cannock and another two in Stafford.

The company says it serves 121 million customers every year, with 19 out of 20 people living less than 10 miles from one of its stores.

Leigh Baxter, regional manager for the West Midlands at Argos said: "Christmas is the busiest and most exciting time to be in retail and our ability to offer more than 20,000 products for the whole family within easy reach is why millions of people shop with us over the festive season.

"To make sure we offer customers the best possible service, we need extra support in our stores and we're looking for people who are customer focused, energetic and enthusiastic. As we gear up to make getting hold of Christmas gifts as easy as possible, for the first time we are also seeking drivers to join our store teams and support local deliveries to customers.

"People are at the heart of our business and we are committed to maintaining the friendly, personal service we are known for, whether customers are shopping online or in-store. We can offer fantastic, flexible training that will also benefit people for the long term."

Argos, part of Home Retail Group, says new team members will receive "competitive" rates of pay and immediate benefits of 10 per cent staff discount at Argos and 20 per cent discount at sister company Homebase. The 'My Benefits' scheme gives all staff exclusive savings and local discounts both online and in a variety of other high street retailers.

Successful applicants can gain transferable skills via Argos' Open Door training system. This enables them to work through retail training modules at work, on the move or from their own home using their smartphone, tablet or PC.

For the fourth year in a row, Argos will continue its link-up with travel group TUI, parent company of Thomson and First Choice, under which summer seasonal workers with the holiday company can apply for roles in their local Argos store for the winter season.

Interested candidates can apply for all roles at www.argosxmasjobs.co.uk.