Amazon, Target, and various other retailers are gearing up their hiring efforts in preparation for the upcoming holiday shopping season. While these companies are hiring for the holiday season, there is a shift in the hiring approach this year with fewer seasonal employees expected to be onboarded to assist customers in stores and fulfil online orders in warehouses.
E-commerce powerhouse Amazon has announced plans to hire 250,000 full-time, part-time, and seasonal workers for the crucial shopping period, matching the number of employees hired last year. Similarly, Bath & Body Works and Target are also set to maintain their hiring numbers from previous years. Target revealed its intention to bring in around 100,000 seasonal employees while offering existing staff the opportunity to work additional hours during the festive shopping season.
On the other hand, Kohl’s is encouraging individuals to apply for seasonal positions but has not disclosed its hiring plans as of yet. Walmart, in line with its strategy from the previous year, has been steadily hiring store associates throughout the year and will utilise its existing workforce as needed during the peak season. In contrast, Macy’s has stated intentions to increase its seasonal workforce by more than 31,500 positions this year, down from the 38,000 hires made in the previous year.
The holiday shopping period is a critical time for both online and brick-and-mortar retailers, many of whom have already begun rolling out discounts and promotions to attract early shoppers looking for gifts. Projections from consulting firms like Deloitte and EY-Parthenon anticipate a moderate increase in retail sales during the holiday season, driven partially by anticipated price hikes due to inflation. Online sales are forecasted to experience significant growth, reaching a record high according to Adobe.
Retailers in the US are expected to add approximately 520,000 new jobs in the final quarter of the year, a decrease from the previous year but still a substantial number. Despite positive signs in the job market, challenges are expected for retailers in filling openings due to demands of the job and pay considerations. Companies like Macy’s, JCPenney, Bass Pro Shops, and Cabela’s are actively recruiting workers through nationwide hiring events to address these challenges.
Consumer spending remains resilient, though trends like rising credit card debt and decreased savings rates could impact spending in the upcoming months. Shoppers are becoming more discerning, seeking out deals and store brands to mitigate the effects of high prices. Potential disruptions such as a port workers’ strike could further complicate the holiday shopping landscape by causing even higher prices on products.
As retailers gear up for the busy festive season and consumers prepare to shop, the holiday shopping landscape is poised for both challenges and opportunities in the coming months.