The Trafford Centre in Manchester has announced that it is introducing an internet-based recruitment process in a bit to increase human resource (HR) efficiency.

Nearly 50 per cent of job applications for roles at the centre are received via the website, which reduces the volume of phones calls that HR has to take.

Using Ciphr Recruitment Online software, the website allows job applicants to enter data onto a standard application form, ensuring a level of consistency in the information provided.

The new online system integrates with the existing management systems, allowing for a more strategic approach to recruitment.

Amanda Wilson, the Trafford Centre HR manager, said: "We are able to respond to all interested applicants because they are automatically saved into a recruitment database, this was previously a job that required manual input."

In April, high street retailer Boots announced that it was rolling out an online recruitment system to deal with its 20,000 annual job applications more efficiently.