Part Time Jobs Increase in Retail and Hospitality Sectors

South Africa’s retail and hospitality sectors are driving a sharp increase in part-time employment as businesses adopt flexible staffing models to cope with a tough economy and workers seek supplementary income. The trend is confirmed by the latest official labour data and hiring analytics, which show a significant uptick in casual, temporary, and part-time roles in these industries.

According to Statistics South Africa’s Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) for the first quarter of 2024, the trade sector – which includes retail and wholesale – added 109,000 jobs during that period alone. The accommodation and food services industry, a key component of hospitality, contributed to a broader community and social services category that recorded a year-on-year gain of 1.1 million jobs between Q1 2023 and Q1 2024. While those numbers cover both full-time and part-time positions, analysts say the bulk of new hiring in these sectors has tilted toward flexible, non-permanent arrangements.

“The rise in part-time jobs in retail and hospitality is not a coincidence,” said Thandi Mokoena, an economist at the University of Johannesburg’s Centre for Labour Market Studies, in an interview. “Employers are nervous about committing to full-time payroll in an environment of load shedding, high inflation, and unpredictable consumer demand. Part-time and casual contracts give them the ability to quickly adjust labour costs.”

The drive for flexibility also comes from the worker side. South Africa’s official unemployment rate stands at 32.9% – a slight increase from the previous quarter – and youth unemployment remains above 60%. For many, a part-time job in a store or restaurant offers a foot in the door of the formal economy, especially for students, parents, and those juggling side businesses.

Online recruitment platform Pnet underscored the demand in its January 2024 Job Market Trends Report, which showed that vacancies for waiters/waitresses jumped 41% and retail store manager roles rose 22% in late 2023 compared to the same period a year earlier. Hospitality and retail jointly accounted for one of the strongest areas of hiring activity, Pnet noted.

The National Minimum Wage was increased to R27.58 per hour from 1 March 2024, providing a baseline for most entry-level part-time positions. Workers in casual roles typically earn between R27.58 and R45 per hour, depending on experience and location, though they rarely receive benefits such as medical aid or pension contributions.

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Why retail and hospitality are leading the part-time surge

Several structural factors are pushing employers in these sectors toward part-time hiring.

Load shedding and operational costs. South Africa’s ongoing electricity crisis forces retailers and restaurants to rely on generators and batteries, eating into profit margins. To offset these costs, many businesses prefer to schedule staff only during peak hours rather than maintain a full complement of permanent employees.

Consumer spending pressure. With inflation squeezing household budgets, retail sales growth has been erratic. Retailers are cautious about adding permanent staff, instead using part-time workers to cover weekends and seasonal rushes such as Black Friday and the December holidays.

Post-pandemic workforce habits. During COVID-19 lockdowns, hospitality establishments laid off thousands of workers. When demand returned, many owners chose to rehire on a part-time or contract basis, keeping a flexible pool of casual employees they can scale up or down rapidly. This model has persisted.

“The hospitality industry’s recovery has been built on flexibility,” said Mokoena. “Restaurants and hotels are not rushing back to full-time employment. They’ve learned they can operate with a smaller core team and supplement with part-timers during busy periods.”

How to find and secure a part-time job in retail or hospitality

For job seekers, the increase in part-time vacancies is a real opportunity – but competition remains high. Here are practical steps to improve your chances:

Check online platforms daily. Use job portals like Pnet, Indeed, and CareerJunction. Filter by “part-time” or “casual” and set alerts for new postings.
Walk in with a CV. Many small retailers and independent restaurants still hire via in-store signs or by accepting CVs directly. Dress neatly and ask to speak to the manager during quiet times (mid-morning on weekdays).
Highlight customer service skills. Even if you have no formal experience, emphasise reliability, communication, cash handling, and the ability to work under pressure – all key for retail and hospitality.
Be flexible with hours. Employers in these sectors value candidates who can work evenings, weekends, and public holidays. The more availability you offer, the more likely you are to be hired.
Prepare for a short interview. Part-time interviews are often brief and situational. Expect questions like “What would you do if a customer complained?” or “Can you start training tomorrow?”

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The pros and cons of part-time work

Part-time jobs are not without trade-offs. Here is a clear-eyed look at what to expect.

Pros:

Flexibility. You can often choose shifts that fit around study, family, or other commitments.
Experience. First-time workers build résumé-worthy skills in customer service, teamwork, and time management.
Extra income. Even 15–20 hours per week at R27.58 an hour adds about R1,650 to R2,200 per month – meaningful in a high-cost environment.
Foot in the door. Many retailers and hotel chains promote from within, turning part-time roles into permanent positions.

Cons:

Low hourly pay. Minimum wage is the default. Benefits like medical aid, pension, or paid leave are rare.
Irregular hours. Schedules can change week to week, making it hard to plan.
No job security. Part-time contracts often have no notice period and can be terminated with little warning.
Limited career progression. Without proactive effort, part-time workers can become stuck in casual roles.

Turning a part-time gig into a career

A part-time job does not have to be a dead end. Demonstrating reliability, upskilling, and showing initiative can lead to permanent offers.

Mokoena advises workers to “arrive early, stay late, and volunteer for extra shifts. Managers notice. Once you prove you are dependable, they’re far more likely to offer you a permanent role or a promotion.”

Many large retail groups and hotel chains run learnership programmes and skills development courses for existing staff, which can be a stepping stone to management.

External sources for further reading

FAQ about part-time jobs in retail and hospitality

Q: Are part-time jobs in these sectors likely to increase further?
A: Most analysts expect continued growth, driven by economic uncertainty and the ongoing need for labour flexibility. Seasonal peaks such as the December holidays will also create short-term bursts.

Q: What is the minimum wage for part-time workers?
A: As of March 2024, the national minimum wage is R27.58 per hour. Employers cannot pay less, even for part-time or casual work.

Q: Can I claim unemployment insurance (UIF) as a part-time worker?
A: Yes, employers must register all workers – including part-time and casual – for UIF contributions if they work more than 24 hours per month. You can claim UIF if you lose your job.

Q: How many hours constitutes a part-time job?
A: There is no legal definition, but in practice, part-time roles typically involve 8 to 30 hours per week. Anything above 30 hours usually triggers full-time employment rights.

Q: Do I need experience to get hired?
A: No. Many retail and hospitality roles are entry-level. Employers train you on the job. Showing up with a positive attitude and a willingness to learn is often more important than formal experience.