holiday season

Economic uncertainty is causing companies to order and import goods earlier than usual.

In 2021, about 44% of workers received a holiday or annual bonus, according to payroll processor ADP. Since then, that number has been falling as bonuses become less common.

Even as holiday spending is expected to surpass $1 trillion, retailers are set to hire the lowest number of seasonal workers in decades.

And more consumers are using AI to help with their holiday shopping.

Though a few industries have picked up the pace on hiring.

We’ll also hear from Home Depot and Lowe’s soon.

A little over a year ago, Rita Magalde moved her previously home-based bakery to a commercial kitchen. This year, she’s adding a mall location.

Rita Magalde, owner of Sheer Ambrosia, just completed her first holiday season in a commercial kitchen space.

Despite gripes about the near-constant requests for tips in retail and services, Bankrate says more people are planning to give holiday tips this year than last.

Some of the temps have been coming back every year for decades.