Despite the fact that the last Bank Holiday of the year is still ahead, recruiters are already hiring for Christmas part-timers, according to recruitment website Indeed.

Indeed has said many firms will be on the hunt for seasonal workers a month earlier this year.

In fact, according to The Mirror prestigious department store Fortnum & Mason is already hiring, along with retailer GAME , beauty chain Lush and department store Fenwick.

Retail sales are performing better than expected in 2019 despite uncertainty in the overall economy, according to Indeed - and now firms are keen to maximise the end-of-year rush, which will commence on Black Friday.

Economist Pawel Adrjan, said: "We may joke about shops putting up their Christmas displays earlier and earlier every year, but our data suggests August is when employers start ramping up their team for the festive season.

"Planning well ahead of such a busy and important period of the calendar is vital, and the benefits for recruiters are clear - candidate interest is at its highest per job posting in August and September, before the number of advertised jobs swells to its maximum.

"With average pay growing at the fastest rate in 11 years, there will no doubt be swells in consumer demand in the retail, logistics and service sectors, all of which rely on high levels of staff to satisfy the seasonal growth in customers."