Coronavirus online shopping boom prompts Northampton delivery and warehousing firm to hire more staff

A Northampton-based delivery and warehousing firm has responded to heightened demand during the coronavirus pandemic by bolstering its workforce.

Panther Logistics has hired more staff in customer service, the warehouse and client services along with five outstanding roles that are yet to be filled.

The rise in online shopping and the heightened demand for non-essential items has generated a huge increase in the need for the Lodge Farm Industrial Estate company's services.

Panther Warehousing commercial director Gary McKelvey said: “The pandemic has seen an exponential shift from high street shopping to online.

"In order to cope with this ever-growing demand Panther has increased its workforce by creating several permanent roles within the company.

“Whilst these roles will predominantly help support growth, this latest recruitment drive also enables us to create job security amongst our staff - something we feel is hugely imperative given the current situation."

Panther, which has 400 employees, has seen a significant increase in online purchases of mattresses, home furnishings and garden furniture in particular during the crisis.

Mr McKelvey added: “The closure of shops between March and June and now during the month of November has potentially changed the shopping habits of consumers forever.

"That is shown by the fact that at the height of lockdown, the average UK adult was spending a daily average of four hours and two minutes online, a significant rise from the three and a half hours spent internet surfing in the September of 2019.

“Upholding customer experience is vital to our operations at Panther, and we are confident that our appointed permanent staff will provide first-class customer service in line with our ethos amid the forecasted spike, especially as we approach the peak period.”