The War for Picker and Packer Talent: Why Retention and the Right Recruitment Partner Are Your Smartest Investments

UK warehouses and fulfilment centres are under pressure like never before. Online shopping is booming, retail expectations are higher than ever, and supply chains are under constant strain. 

At the centre of it all? Pickers and packers. The unsung heroes making sure orders move from shelf to shipping bay. And right now, there just aren’t enough of them to go around.

A Workforce Under Strain

The average UK warehouse worker is juggling more than ever. Seasonal peaks, rapid order fulfilment, and rising labour costs mean businesses are competing fiercely for staff. Turnover is high, and vacancies can sit unfilled for weeks.

For UK employers, this isn’t just a numbers problem. Losing experienced pickers and packers means slower fulfilment, more errors, and unhappy customers. Every unpicked order or delayed dispatch hits the bottom line and let’s face it, customer loyalty.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

Industry research paints a grim picture. According to the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC), warehouse and logistics roles remain among the hardest to fill in the UK.

Vacancies for pickers and packers are rising year on year, and the competition for talent is fierce, not just from rival warehouses, but from supermarkets, e-commerce giants, and courier services offering higher pay or more flexible hours.

Without the right people, businesses risk longer lead times, higher operational costs, and a constant scramble trying to keep up and meet demand.

Why Retention is Your Secret Weapon

Recruiting new staff is only half the battle. Keeping them is where the real advantage lies. Good retention means experienced staff who understand your systems, work efficiently, and reduce costly errors. Simple initiatives THOMAS Recruitment recommend and roll out, can drastically reduce turnover.

The Recruitment Partner That Makes a Difference

Finding people is easy, it’s keeping them that’s the challenge. Partnering with a recruitment specialist who knows the UK warehouse and logistics market can transform your workforce strategy. 

The right partner:

• Builds a pool of vetted, reliable pickers and packers.
• Matches staff to the right shifts and warehouse environments.
• Supports retention through training, career development, and engagement.

At THOMAS Recruitment, we go beyond CVs and contracts. We understand the pressures UK businesses face and provide tailored solutions that keep operations moving. From seasonal peaks to permanent placements, our candidates are ready to hit the floor running.

Why Now Matters

The UK logistics sector isn’t slowing down, and neither are customer expectations.

Every day without the right staff is a day of missed orders, longer lead times, and mounting operational stress. Keeping your people and backing them with the right recruitment team is non-negotiable.

If you’re serious about keeping your warehouse efficient, accurate, and fully staffed, the time to act is now. Don’t let your business fall behind. Make your people your priority, and the rest will follow.