Retailers are already in the process of prepping stores for hordes of customers during the holidays by hiring tens of thousands of additional employees. Kohl’s and Toys R Us announced seasonal hiring plans Wednesday. Kohl’s will hire more than 69,000 seasonal employees this year, up from 67,000 last year. Hiring started as early as August for the retailer’s fulfillment centers, where about 9,500 seasonal positions will be filled.
Meanwhile, Toys R Us plans to hire fewer seasonal associates — 40,000 compared with 45,000 last year — and give them “significantly more hours” during the holidays than in previous years. Current employees will also have the chance to pick up more hours. Seasonal workers will average 18 to 20 hours a week, says Toys R Us spokeswoman Elizabeth Gaerlan, whereas last year they averaged seven hours a week. These employees could get up to 30 hours a week during peak season.
The decision to hire fewer people for the holidays “was based on feedback we received from seasonal employees after the 2014 holiday season,” Gaerlan says. “This will also help ensure we are fully staffed with overall labor needs comparable to last year in order to serve our customers in stores and online.” The company also said that it will mean seasonal workers will be spending more time in stores and have the knowledge to be better able to help customers. Seasonal staffers will start reporting to work next month.
UPS said Tuesday that it will hire 90,000 to 95,000 seasonal employees as it readies for a drastic increase in package volume during the holidays. UPS planned to hire the same number of seasonal workers as last year. The jobs are primarily as package handlers, drivers and driver helpers, the company said.