E-commerce hiring up 28% in 2021; 2022 likely to be even more promising: TeamLease

Employment opportunities in the e-commerce and allied industries witnessed a 28 per cent surge in 2021, and recruitment activities in this segment will gain further momentum driven by economic recovery and aggressive vaccination drive, according to TeamLease Services.

The e-commerce sector grew by 8 per cent in 2020 and 30 per cent in 2021. It is now poised to reach USD 111 billion by 2024 and USD 200 billion by 2026. The stellar growth in this sector has provided the much-needed impetus to the economy and created a multitude of employment opportunities.

Looking at the employment ecosystem, there was a 28 per cent surge in employment opportunities in e-commerce and allied industries (e-commerce, social commerce, online grocery/ essentials) in 2021, according to TeamLease Services.

"With the aggressive vaccination drive pan India and economic activities gaining normalcy, next year is going to be very optimistic. 

Hiring activities have resumed in most of the industries, even the ones which faced maximum impact last year," said Ajoy Thomas, VP & Business Head (Retail, E-Commerce, Logistics & Transportation), TeamLease Services.

For e-commerce and startups, which have been rewarding throughout, many new job opportunities will be added in 2022, and hiring will further go up by 32 per cent, Thomas added.

Over the year, the demand was high for roles like supply chain management, warehouse roles, support services, and customer service management.

The report further noted that not only Tier I locations, but even Tier II to Tier IV regions witnessed a surge in hiring, especially as e-commerce has now gone deeper into the interiors of the country.

"Appraisals in these industries were at an average of 20 to 30 per cent. Many companies also introduced unique benefits and compensations like relaxing their attendance policies, providing flexibility in schedule changes, implementing additional sick leave and exploring back-up childcare options for employees," it said.

The year 2022 is going to be an even more promising year for e-commerce and tech startups, which are poised to reach a CAGR of 27 per cent, reaching USD 111 billion by 2024, TeamLease Services said.

While 2022 is going to be a promising year, some reforms and financial aid are required to help the sectors grow and flourish, it added.

In the coming year, especially during the next budget, the government should recognise and support new business models in both product and service segments, aimed at improving consumer experience and providing gainful employment to regular and gig workers with improved earnings, it said.

Additionally, much clarity is also required about the current e-commerce policies. 

"From a policy perspective, reforms should not be stifled with red-tape, bureaucratic rigmarole and avoidable policy restrictions. All of this will help boost further growth in the segment," it noted.