'Tis the Season for Retail Hiring

With the holidays rapidly approaching, shoppers around the US are preparing their wish lists and wrapping paper. Meanwhile, retailers are busy stocking the shelves and making sure stores are ready for the rush. An integral part of that preparation is ensuring each store has just the right number of employees to manage the extra traffic and guarantee each customer has a seamless shopping experience.

The retail industry already employs over 42 million Americans throughout the year, but to meet the demand of the holiday shopping season, retailers issue the call for seasonal employees. And with the competition for top talent stronger than ever before, many are expanding benefits and raising wages to attract the best candidates.

Retailers hiring for the holidays:

• American Eagle Outfitters – 10,000 seasonal workers
• Best Buy
• Dick’s Sporting Goods – 8,000 seasonal workers
• Dollar Tree – 25,000 seasonal workers
• Gap Inc. – 30,000 seasonal workers
• Kohl’s – 90,000 seasonal workers
• Macy’s – 80,000 seasonal workers
• Michael’s – 15,000 seasonal workers
• Target – 130,000 seasonal workers

For employees, seasonal job opportunities showcase one of the biggest benefits of working in retail: flexibility. Between spending quality time with family and checking off end of the year to-dos, many employees value the ability to choose flexible hours and design schedules that work for them. The retail industry is proud to offer those opportunities and often, those seasonal jobs may develop into more permanent positions.
 

Deeper Dive:

• Reality retail: To attract seasonal workers, major chains modernize their pitch (Chicago Tribune)
• The Retailers Already Hiring for the Holiday Shopping Season – And the Perks They’re Offering (Footwear News)
• Target, UPS, Amazon and Kohl’s are offering better pay and these perks to attract over 230,000 seasonal workers (CNBC)

To learn more about the retail workforce, contact RILA Vice President of Workforce Evan Armstrong.