Retail, e-commerce to drive fresher hiring in Pune

e-commerce and technology start-ups, retail, manufacturing, and FMCG, are now expanding hiring opportunities for freshers. In Pune, hiring intent for freshers stands at 41% for July–Dec 2026, up from 39% in the first half of the year, indicating a gradual improvement, according to a report by Team Lease Edtech, a digital learning and employability solutions company.

Hiring intent is a measure that represents the percentage of employers likely to hire during a six-month period that is in consideration. On an overall basis, the Career Outlook Report indicated that overall fresher hiring intent has increased to 75% for July–Dec 2026, up from 73% in the first half of the year. At the same time, however, IT hiring intent reduced from 81% to 76%, reflecting the sector’s more selective approach around workforce planning, onboarding and role readiness.

In Pune, key roles showing traction include full-stack developer, tooling and fixture design engineer, quick commerce operations executive and EV charging infrastructure engineer.

The second half of the year is also a period that coincides with festivals, where many e-commerce players hire temporary staff for the increase in number of deliveries. “Fresher hiring intent in retail stands at 93%, while e-commerce and technology start-ups also stand at 93%, reflecting sustained demand beyond the festive cycle,” said Shantanu Rooj, founder and CEO, Team Lease Edtech.

Some roles will naturally be temporary or flexi-staffing during peak periods, but many opportunities are becoming permanent as businesses expand their digital commerce, supply chain and omni-channel operations. Roles in areas such as category management, technology, analytics and operations will continue to see structural demand, said the report.

In terms of salaries, the second half is likely to see a stable environment, with growth becoming increasingly linked to skills and business impact rather than broad-based increases.

“Our internal data indicated salary growth expectations in the range of 8.6%–10.6% across industries, with specialised roles commanding stronger premiums. For freshers, the differentiation would come from capabilities in areas where demand was expanding – such as AI, cloud, analytics, semiconductor technologies, cybersecurity and digital operations,” said Rooj.