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For retailers, a holiday dilemma: staffing for the unpredictable

Sep 28, 2021
Consumers want the convenience of delivery and e-commerce, but some also want in-store experiences with all the holiday trimmings.
In the lead-up to the holidays, brands are focusing their messaging on savings and good deals for consumers.
Scott Heins via Getty Images

Tight labor market, strong holiday sales forecast might force retailers to pay higher wages

Oct 4, 2018
On Friday, we’ll get the latest jobs figures for the month of September. Economists are expecting a strong report, with unemployment expected to drop a bit from an already low rate. We’re also getting awfully close to the holiday hiring season, and sales are expected to be pretty strong, too. But with the unemployment rate […]

Holiday jobs changing to keep up with online demand

Nov 21, 2017
As brick-and-mortar retail shrinks, some of the employment slack is taken up by online commerce.
Amazon's 800,000-square-foot fulfillment center in Kent, Washington.
Mitchell Hartman/Marketplace

Holiday hiring is a path to permanent jobs, for a few

Oct 16, 2014
Retailers are adding a lot of temps, but what's the long-term employment benefit?