India’s early and unseasonal monsoon has not only cooled temperatures but also chilled the country’s seasonal job market, particularly in sectors that rely heavily on summer demand.
From consumer durables to FMCG, retail, and logistics, companies have reported a sharp decline in temporary hiring, with some sectors witnessing up to a 30% drop in seasonal job creation compared to last year.
This downturn, attributed to intermittent rains and subdued consumer demand, marks one of the worst summers for seasonal employment in over a decade.
Cooling Products See Sales Freeze, Hiring Slows
The consumer durables sector, especially manufacturers of air conditioners and refrigerators, has been among the hardest hit. According to industry leaders:
- Air-conditioner sales plunged by 30–35% year-on-year in the April–June quarter
- Refrigerator sales dropped by 12–15%, making it the worst summer for cooling products in over 15 years
This slump has led to production cuts, inventory pile-ups, and a reduction in temporary staffing across manufacturing and retail outlets.
Companies that had ramped up inventory in anticipation of a harsh summer—based on India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts—are now grappling with unsold stock and scaled-back hiring plans.
FMCG and Ice Cream Sales Melt Under Monsoon Pressure
The fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector, particularly ice cream and beverage brands, also suffered due to the shortened summer season:
- Beverage sales fell 9% in the first half of June compared to last year
- Ice cream orders grew only 3–7%, a steep drop from the 17–26% growth seen in the same period in 2024
Retail analytics firm Bizom reported that stocking of summer products began strong in February but declined sharply by May due to unexpected rainfall.
This led to lower demand for in-store promoters, delivery staff, and supply chain workers, further impacting seasonal employment.
Retail and Logistics: Hiring Cools as Footfall Drops Due to Monsoon
Retailers, especially in urban centers like Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata, have seen reduced footfall and slower inventory movement, prompting them to cut back on temporary hiring.
The logistics sector, which typically scales up during peak summer to handle increased FMCG and electronics shipments, also reported a dip in demand for contract workers.
Staffing firms like Adecco India and Quess Corp confirmed that seasonal hiring across consumer-facing industries has declined by up to 30% compared to the previous year.
Weather Forecasts Gone Awry: A Lesson in Risk Planning
The IMD had earlier predicted a harsh summer, prompting companies to front-load inventory and hiring.
However, the early onset of monsoon and lower-than-expected temperatures disrupted these plans.
The mismatch between forecast and reality has highlighted the need for agile workforce planning and weather-responsive supply chains.
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