As the holiday season fast approaches, retailers are putting together their seasonal hiring plans to keep stores and fulfillment centers operating.
Initial projections for retail’s busiest time of year are for sales to grow modestly, with Deloitte predicting an increase of between 2.3% and 3.3% year over year. E-commerce is expected to account for a large portion of that, with online sales expected to grow 7% to 9%, per that report. Adobe is predicting e-commerce will hit a new record in the U.S. this season, with sales potentially reaching $240.8 billion.
All of that means retailers need to send more packages and have more workers manning the fulfillment centers and retail stores that make that happen. But a softening economy and labor market may lead to lower job gains than in previous years, according to a seasonal hiring outlook from Challenger, Gray & Christmas. The outplacement firm predicts retailers will bring on 520,000 new jobs in Q4, the second-lowest total since 2009 and well below last year’s roughly 564,000.
“This prediction considers that now, job gains are falling, and consumers have tightened spending,” Andrew Challenger, senior vice president at Challenger, Gray & Christmas, said in a statement. “That said, the cooling seems to be slow. Seasonal employers will add jobs, but need may fluctuate as the season progresses.”
Retailers may be unable to fill positions this year, Challenger noted, or they may simply need fewer workers if consumers shop less this season. And indeed, some reports show consumers are tightening their wallets ahead of retail’s all-important quarter.
However it shakes out, here’s how some of retail’s major players are thinking about staffing this year.
Target
Target said Sept. 16 that it plans to hire about 100,000 seasonal employees to work in its nearly 2,000 stores and more than 50 supply chain facilities across the U.S. The company has maintained that holiday hiring goal for the past several years, according to prior announcements.
Current employees will get the opportunity to work extra hours. Target said about 45,000 of its 400,000 employees are part of the retailer’s On Demand program, which offers the ability to pick up extra shifts as desired.
Most of the seasonal employees will fill in-store positions. Their starting pay ranges from $15 to $24 an hour. Seasonal employees also get a 10% discount on merchandise and an additional 20% off on wellness items. They can also choose to get paid early with DailyPay and can access 24/7 virtual healthcare and free confidential counseling services.
Walmart
Unlike other retailers that have made specific holiday hiring announcements, Walmart said it has been hiring associates throughout the year. The mass merchant will offer additional hours to current associates where needed.
In 2023, the company had a similar approach when gearing up for the season. In a LinkedIn post last year by Maren Dollwet Waggoner, Walmart’s senior vice president of global tech and corporate functions people, said the company is “staffed and ready to serve customers this holiday season.”
Previously in 2022, Walmart said it would hire 40,000 additional associates for the holidays, down from 150,000 in 2021.
Macy’s
In order to fill more than 31,500 full- and part-time seasonal roles for its Bloomingdale’s, Bluemercury and namesake stores, Macy’s Inc. is holding in-person hiring events at all stores and supply chain locations, one day a month through December. Candidates can find out more or apply online at macysJOBS.com, bloomingdalesJOBS.com and bluemercury.com.
Those interested in supply chain-related work can apply online or in person during hiring events at company distribution centers, including those located in Cheshire, Connecticut; Goodyear, Arizona; Martinsburg, West Virginia; North Jackson, Ohio; Portland, Tennessee.; and Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Key benefits to these roles include unspecified discounts, earned wage access before scheduled payday, mental health and financial literacy resources, and rapid financial assistance during times of extreme need through the company’s North Star Relief Fund.
Mary’s plans are scaled back from last year’s goal of filling some 38,000 roles.
Bath & Body Works
In an effort the company says is comparable with 2023, Bath & Body Works will hire 30,000 seasonal associates at over 1,800 stores in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. The specialty retailer will also bring on 2,700 seasonal workers for its four distribution centers in Ohio, according to a company press release.
Bath & Body Works is offering “competitive wages,” flexible hours, a 40% discount and the possibility to transition to long-term employment, among other benefits.
“Nothing is more important than the human element of our business, and we are committed to providing employment opportunities that offer meaningful professional growth in a culture where associates are recognized as valuable contributors,” Chief Human Resources Officer Deon Riley said in a statement.
Kohl’s
Like last year, Kohl’s has again taken the unusual step of announcing its holiday hiring without releasing how many employees it aims to bring on for the season. In 2022 the retailer said it would hire thousands of seasonal employees across its stores, fulfillment and distribution centers, telling other news outlets that might approach 90,000.
“Seasonal associates can immediately take advantage of a flexible schedule, weekly pay and a 15% associate discount for holiday shopping – including discounts on top brands like Nike, Under Armour, Adidas, and more,” Kohl’s Chief People Officer Mari Steinmetz said in a company blog post.
Benefits also include tuition coverage for eligible part- and full-time employees, healthcare at Kohl’s wellness centers (including exams, screenings, primary care, health consultations, physical therapy, immunizations, lab work and more).
The department store already held its national hiring event earlier in September, but interested candidates can apply online or text “apply” to 24508, per the post.
Burlington
Burlington Stores announced Sept. 9 the company would hire about 24,000 employees for the holiday season.
The company seeks to employ 1,500 full-time seasonal warehouse associates at its distribution centers for first, second and weekend shifts. For its stores, Burlington will hire 23,000 part-time employees including cashiers, retail sales associates and stocking associates.
Burlington will host hiring events and conduct interviews at hiring events through December.
Additionally, the company’s corporate offices in Burlington, New Jersey, New York City and Los Angeles are hiring for a variety of positions.
Spirit Halloween
Specialty retailer Spirit Halloween in June announced plans to hire 50,000 seasonal sales associates and store managers. That’s 10,000 more than the retailer planned to hire last holiday season.
Spirit Halloween said the hiring effort will support the more than 1,500 stores the chain plans to operate this year.
“Opening over 1,500 retail locations is no small feat, and much of the magic we create for fans each year is thanks to the passion and dedication of our associates who bring the Spirit Halloween experience to life,” CEO Steven Silverstein said in a statement.
The retailer touted its perks for associates, including competitive salaries, flexible scheduling, a premium pay incentive program and store discounts. Store managers that are returning can also receive seasonal retention bonuses, per the company.
Those interested can apply on Work4Spirit.com or text “Reaper” to 85000.
J.C. Penney
J.C. Penney will hire over 10,000 seasonal associates this year across all of its stores. The company will hold hiring events from Oct. 16 through Oct. 18 in stores and online, with a focus on hiring for its truck teams in October and customer service roles in November.
The department store offers flexible schedules, career advancements, referral bonuses and employee discounts of up to 25% off.
“Our seasonal associates play a critical role in making the holidays memorable for our customers,” Andre Joyner, chief human resources officer for J.C. Penney, said in a statement. “Whether it is assisting customers in-store, fulfilling orders, or keeping shelves stocked, we offer flexible scheduling, employee discounts, and opportunities for temporary associates to transition to permanent roles after the season.”
