SurveysAug 21, 2026
These Are 2026’s Hottest Retailers, Says NRFThe retailers at the top of the list offer affordable products and fun, discovery-fueled experiences.
MajorsSep 29, 2014
Holiday hiring: Will majors up part-time staffing?
The answer, in short, is yes. Holiday retail hiring has improved every year since 2008 and it seems that trend will continue this year, with major retailers planning to hire either the same amount or more seasonal employees than last year.
Macy's Inc. is one of a number of major U.S. retailers with plans to hire more part-time holiday help this year.
New York--Employment gains and increased consumer spending are expected to boost the need for seasonal workers across many industries this year, according to outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas.
The company said that holiday hiring in retail has improved every year since 2008, when the recession led to a 55 percent decline in the hiring of seasonal employees.
It seems that trend will continue this year, with many of the U.S.’s major retailers reporting that they will hire either the same amount or more seasonal employees to support sales in stores and online this year.
Macy’s announced Monday that it would be hiring for about 86,000 seasonal positions at Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s stores, call centers, distribution centers and online fulfillment centers across the country this year.
This is a 4 percent increase from the approximately 83,000 that the company hired during the 2013 holiday season.
Macy’s said that its seasonal workforce especially has grown in the company’s online fulfillment centers to support the increase in sales generated by its omnichannel business strategy. This year, nearly 10,000 of the 86,000 total seasonal positions will be based in the direct-to-consumer fulfillment “megacenters” and product-specific fulfillment centers.
Walmart also will hire more seasonal employees this year than it did last year. The retailer said that it plans to hire 60,000 seasonal associates in 2014, nearly 10 percent more than it hired in 2013.
The company also said that nearly 25 percent of those employees will stay on in a permanent role after the holiday season is finished.
Kohl’s announced that it anticipates hiring more than 67,000 associates nationwide this holiday season, a 15 percent increase compared with last year. Hiring began this month and most jobs will be filled by mid-November.
Meanwhile, Target and J.C. Penney reported numbers that are in line with 2013.
Target said that it plans to hire 70,000 seasonal employees this year, the same as it did last year. A J.C. Penney spokesperson said the retailer plans to hire approximately 35,000 seasonal associates for the holiday season, a staffing projection that also is in line with last year’s hiring levels.
Sears Holdings would not disclose to National Jeweler the number of holiday hires or projections around seasonal hiring, saying only that each Sears and Kmart bases its needs on what it’s anticipating for that particular store.
John Challenger, CEO of Challenger, Gray & Christmas said
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
in a statement, “The last two years saw holiday hiring return to pre-recession levels. This year, we could see hiring return to levels not seen since the height of the dot-com boom. Holiday spending will undoubtedly benefit from the fact that payrolls are increasing by an average of 215,000 new workers per month so far this year. That translates into more people with jobs, which means more holiday spending money.”
But, he added that since many of the gains this season are coming from a boost in e-commerce and omnichannel business, traditional retail stores without e-commerce should perhaps remain hesitant.
“Despite the positive indicators, an increase in holiday hiring is by no means guaranteed, particularly among traditional brick-and-mortar retailers,” he said.
But, he added that since many of the gains this season are coming from a boost in e-commerce and omnichannel business, traditional retail stores without e-commerce should perhaps remain hesitant.
“Despite the positive indicators, an increase in holiday hiring is by no means guaranteed, particularly among traditional brick-and-mortar retailers,” he said.
More on Majors
The Latest
WatchesAug 21, 2026
Bremont Names Former Vacheron Constantin Exec CMODaniel Bing was formerly the marketing director for the Americas at Vacheron Constantin.
CollectionsAug 21, 2026
Bijules, Kamyen Serve Up ‘Topspin’ Tennis Bracelet Ahead of US OpenIn our Piece of the Week, the designers reimagine the tennis bracelet with green enamel wrapped around a strand of “Desert Diamonds.”
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
PodcastsAug 20, 2026
Episode 8: Diamond Industry Update With David Bonaparte & Ronnie VanderLindenThe industry veterans join the podcast to discuss diamond marketing, the FTC Jewelry Guides, and lobbying for lower tariffs.
Weekly QuizAug 20, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TechnologyAug 20, 2026
A New AI-Powered Gemstone Identification App Is HereFounder Vik Westermann said the app is a “starting point” to inspire people to work with appraisers and gem labs, not replace them.
AuctionsAug 20, 2026
Storied Unicorn Brooch Up for Auction Gallops to New Home The Verdura brooch, which belonged to the late Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, was sold to a private collector in Asia.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
Events & AwardsAug 20, 2026
MJSA Education Foundation Names 5 Scholarship WinnersThe five students were awarded a total of $10,000 through the nonprofit’s 2026 “Future of Jewelry Making” scholarship.
Policies & IssuesAug 19, 2026
Spinelli Kilcollin Embraces Dupes With Trade-In ProgramThe jeweler is encouraging customers who own lookalike rings to come into the store and trade them for credit towards an authentic piece.
MajorsAug 19, 2026
Zales Wants You to Wear Fine Jewelry Every DayThe new campaign, “You Are The Occasion,” discourages shoppers from saving their fine jewelry for special occasions only.
SourcingAug 19, 2026
Vasant Mehta, a Dedicated Diamond Industry Leader, Dies at 81Mehta led India’s GJEPC through the 2008 financial crisis and was respected worldwide for his wisdom, integrity, and knowledge.
CrimeAug 18, 2026
2 California Men Arrested in Fatal Vehicle Smash RobberyOne is the driver who allegedly crashed a car into a Sacramento jewelry store in April, striking a 71-year-old employee who later died.
ColumnistsAug 18, 2026
Peter Smith: The IKEA Effect and Bridal Branding In a new column, Peter Smith posits that people actually enjoy putting together IKEA furniture, and the same is true for engagement rings.
CrimeAug 18, 2026
Thieves Snatch $1M in Jewelry From New Jersey Jeweler9lakha Jewelers in Iselin, New Jersey, was the target of a smash-and-grab robbery on Aug. 8.
Lab-GrownAug 18, 2026
Ring Concierge, Kendall Jenner’s Tequila Brand Collab on GiveawayThe jeweler has partnered with 818 Tequila to gift lab-grown diamond studs to a bride-to-be and their bridal party.
Events & AwardsAug 17, 2026
Exhibition on Louis Comfort Tiffany’s Studios to Open at The MetThe exhibition will feature more than 100 drawings of stained-glass lampshades, windows, and more, many created by women and émigrés.
CollectionsAug 17, 2026
Marquise Diamonds Dance in Spinelli Kilcollin’s ‘Wren’ CollectionMarquise-cut diamonds in drop charms are the center of the new collection, reflecting the movement of a dancer in modular styles.
Events & AwardsAug 17, 2026
There’s a New Jewelry Show Coming to FloridaThe inaugural Fort Lauderdale Jewelry, Antique, & Object Show will be held from Jan. 28 through Feb. 1, 2027.
IndependentsAug 14, 2026
Smyth Jewelers to Open Fourth LocationThe family-owned jeweler will open a new showroom in Bel Air, Maryland, this fall.
CrimeAug 14, 2026
Wife of Man Convicted in Jeweler’s Murder Sentenced for Conspiracy Amanda Ileana Hernandez is married to Carlos Hernandez, one of two men in prison for the 2024 murder of Michigan jeweler Hussein Murray.
TrendsAug 14, 2026
Paul Morelli’s Latest ‘Wavey Vine’ Earrings Embrace ColorThe reimagined jewel, our Piece of the Week, trades the diamonds in the original 1998 design for blue, pink, yellow, and green sapphires.
Supplier BulletinAug 13, 2026
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSponsored by American Gem Trade Association
FinancialsAug 13, 2026
Pandora’s ‘Talisman’ Collection Shines, Lab-Grown Diamond Sales FallIn the United States, second-quarter sales were flat amid soft consumer sentiment and lower in-store traffic.
AuctionsAug 13, 2026
This Gold Cadbury ‘Conundrum’ Egg Set a World Auction RecordThe 22-karat gold egg, sold at Batemans Auctioneers in the U.K., was part of a 1980s treasure hunt ad campaign for Cadbury Creme Eggs.
SourcingAug 13, 2026
2,488-Carat Diamond, Largest Found in Botswana, Has a New Owner Lucara Diamond Corp., which recovered the “Motswedi” diamond from the Karowe mine, sold the stone for an undisclosed amount.
CollectionsAug 13, 2026
John Hardy Infuses ‘Icon,’ ‘Heishi’ Collections with ColorThe expanded collections now feature hand-cut gemstones like topaz, tanzanite, chrysoprase, chalcedony, smoky quartz, and fire opal.
