As e-commerce booms, retailers face challenges in staffing for the holiday rush.

  • Retailers are preparing for the 2024 holiday season with significant seasonal hiring plans.
  • Deloitte predicts retail sales will grow by 2.3% to 3.3%, with e-commerce sales expected to rise by 7% to 9%.
  • Challenger, Gray & Christmas forecasts 520,000 new retail jobs in Q4, the second-lowest total since 2009.
  • Target plans to hire 100,000 seasonal employees, maintaining its hiring goal from previous years.
  • Walmart is hiring associates year-round and will offer additional hours to current staff.
  • Macy’s aims to fill over 31,500 seasonal roles through in-person hiring events.
  • Bath & Body Works plans to hire 30,000 seasonal associates, offering competitive wages and discounts.
  • Kohl’s has not disclosed specific hiring numbers but emphasizes flexible schedules and employee benefits.
  • Burlington Stores will hire about 24,000 employees, including 1,500 full-time warehouse associates.
  • Spirit Halloween plans to hire 50,000 seasonal associates, supporting over 1,500 stores.

As the holiday season approaches, retailers are ramping up their seasonal hiring strategies to ensure smooth operations in stores and fulfillment centers. According to Deloitte, retail sales are projected to increase modestly by 2.3% to 3.3% this year, with e-commerce expected to see a significant boost of 7% to 9%. Adobe anticipates that online sales could reach a record $240.8 billion this season, highlighting the need for more workers in both retail and fulfillment roles. However, a cooling economy and labor market may result in fewer job gains compared to previous years, with Challenger, Gray & Christmas predicting only 520,000 new retail jobs in Q4, the second-lowest figure since 2009. Retailers are adjusting their hiring plans accordingly, with some major players already announcing their strategies. Target plans to hire around 100,000 seasonal employees across its nearly 2,000 stores and over 50 supply chain facilities, maintaining its hiring goal from previous years. Walmart has opted for a year-round hiring approach, offering additional hours to current associates. Macy’s is holding in-person hiring events to fill over 31,500 seasonal roles, while Bath & Body Works aims to hire 30,000 seasonal associates, providing competitive wages and discounts. Kohl’s has not specified its hiring numbers but emphasizes flexible schedules and employee benefits. Burlington Stores plans to hire about 24,000 employees, including 1,500 full-time warehouse associates. Spirit Halloween is set to hire 50,000 seasonal associates to support its extensive store network. J.C. Penney will also hire over 10,000 seasonal associates, focusing on flexible schedules and career advancement opportunities. As retailers navigate these challenges, the emphasis remains on staffing effectively to meet consumer demand during the crucial holiday season.·

Factuality Level: 8
Factuality Justification: The article provides a comprehensive overview of seasonal hiring plans by various retailers, supported by data and predictions from reputable sources. While it is mostly factual, some sections could be seen as slightly verbose or tangential, particularly in detailing each retailer’s hiring strategies and benefits, which may detract from the main focus. However, the information is relevant and well-researched, with no significant misleading content or sensationalism.·
Noise Level: 6
Noise Justification: The article provides a detailed overview of seasonal hiring plans by various retailers, supported by data and projections. However, it lacks deeper analysis of the implications of these hiring trends and does not critically engage with the broader economic context or the potential consequences for workers. While it stays on topic and provides relevant information, it could benefit from more actionable insights and a critical perspective.·
Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: The article discusses seasonal hiring plans of major retailers, which can impact their operational costs and overall sales performance, influencing stock prices and market perceptions.
Financial Rating Justification: The article focuses on the retail sector’s hiring strategies and sales projections for the holiday season, which are critical indicators of economic health and consumer spending trends, thus relevant to financial topics.·
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: No
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: No
Extreme Rating Justification: The article discusses seasonal hiring plans and projections for retail sales but does not mention any extreme events that occurred in the last 48 hours.·

Reported publicly: www.retaildive.com