Retail chain Argos said yesterday it had begun the search for 21,000 extra staff to work in its stores over the Christmas period.

The move comes after Woolworths and Boots said they would recruit a total of 11,000 more workers for the festive season.

Milton Keynes-based Argos, owned by FTSE 100 Index listed GUS, said the jobs would be part-time and last about two months.

About 18,000 posts will be customer-facing, with another 3,000 jobs in the company's distribution network. Argos hopes to take on some of the recruits on a permanent basis in the new year.

Under a campaign slogan of Lasting Impressions, Argos will put up posters in its 539 stores and use local advertising to appeal for the temporary staff.

Argos's managing director Kate Swann said: "Temporary staff play a vital role in helping customers get the goods they want and the service they expect at Christmas, and this year we are recruiting more staff than ever before."

Boots is planning to take on an extra 5,000 temporary workers and encourage desk-bound staff on to the shop floor during the Christmas rush while Woolworths said it planned to recruit an extra 6,000 staff and introduce 1,000 more tills over the period.

Friday September 19, 2003