Catalogue store group Argos will recruit 15,000 temporary staff this Christmas – a 25 per cent drop on last year’s number.

The change is reflective of the tougher trading climate expected by most retailers this festive period and the consequent need to keep costs low and efficiency high.

Other retailers are likely to follow suit and cut the number of Christmas recruits they take on.

Argos reported that there has been stronger demand than ever so far from jobseekers eager to take up seasonal positions.

The retailer hopes once again to recruit permanent staff from among the Christmas intake.

Argos HR Director Andrew Bush said: “We retain a large proportion of temporary employees long after Christmas and we have over 1,000 who have returned to us each year for the last few years.”