CollectionsJul 23, 2025
Silvia Furmanovich’s ‘Kashmir’ Collection Is a Tribute to Northern IndiaThe “Kashmir” collection features centuries-old craft techniques made in collaboration with the region’s master papier-mâché artisans.
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
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
IndependentsJul 23, 2025
IJO Raises Nearly $37K for LA Fire Relief Two Los Angeles Fire Department stations plan to use the donations to upgrade their equipment and tools.
IndependentsJul 23, 2025
Montreal’s Ecksand Eyes Move to SoHoCreative Director Erica Bianchini shared why the jeweler is looking to expand into the U.S. and how it’s putting Canadian craftsmanship on the map.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
CrimeJul 23, 2025
JSA Warns of Violent String of Smash-and-Grabs in California JSA has received reports of mobs swarming jewelry stores, driving cars into the storefront or smashing through the windows.
Weekly QuizJul 17, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsJul 22, 2025
Jewelry With a Rock ‘n’ Roll Aesthetic Heads to Sotheby’s LondonNext week, the auction house will kick off a selling exhibition of jewelry by British artist Hannah Martin and Coldplay’s Guy Berryman.
SourcingJul 22, 2025
Antwerp Diamond Heist Documentary Coming to Netflix“Stolen: Heist of the Century” is based on “Flawless,” the book about the middle-of-the-night theft, and will debut on Netflix in August.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
ColumnistsJul 22, 2025
The Gifting Gap: How to Market Jewelry Beyond the HolidaysEmmanuel Raheb shares the top five gifting moments outside of major holidays that jewelers should build marketing campaigns around.
Events & AwardsJul 22, 2025
NY Now’s Summer Market Returns in AugustThe wholesale trade show’s Luxury Lifestyle section will showcase established and emerging jewelry designers.
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2025
NAJA’s 2025 ‘Ace It’ Conference To Go VirtualThe mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers is slated for Aug. 9 to 10 on Zoom.
TrendsJul 21, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Graduated With Honors Graduated stones make for elevated tennis-style pieces and dramatic statement necklaces.
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2025
Gem Awards Now Accepting Nominations for 2026Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.
TrendsJul 18, 2025
Piece of the Week: CCWW Designs’ Shell Charm NecklaceThe charm necklace features six nautical charms of shells and coral that founder Christina Puchi collected on Florida’s beaches.
MajorsJul 18, 2025
Plumb Club Elects New Board MembersThe organization elected its youngest vice president as it looks to draw in fresh talent.
TechnologyJul 18, 2025
Brad Campbell, John Liebler Join Clientbook’s Executive Team Campbell joins the company as vice president of business development while Liebler is the new vice president of operations.
CollectionsJul 17, 2025
2026 Winter Olympic Medal Design Symbolizes UnityThe medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the Games’ first time being hosted by two cities and the athletes’ journeys.
Supplier BulletinJul 17, 2025
The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025: Your Holiday Preparations, All Wrapped Up! Sponsored by The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025
SurveysJul 17, 2025
The Most Recommended Brands in the World, According to YouGovGlobally, travel and transportation brands reigned, while in the U.S., alcoholic beverage companies and a lingerie brand took the top spots.
IndependentsJul 17, 2025
Gina Ferranti of GiGi Ferranti Jewelry Dies at 59The Brooklyn-based jewelry designer is remembered as a true artist and a rare talent.
SourcingJul 17, 2025
Rio Tinto Names New CEO, Production Rises at DiavikProduction at the mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories topped 1 million carats in Q2, the third consecutive quarter of growth.
Events & AwardsJul 17, 2025
JA to Hold Learning Workshops This FallA new slate of Learning Workshops will take place in Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Georgia.
SurveysJul 16, 2025
Signet Jewelers Falls Lower on NRF’s ‘Top 100’ Retailers ListThe middle class is changing its approach to buying jewelry and affordable luxury goods, the NRF said.
FinancialsJul 16, 2025
Richemont’s Jewelry Sales Up 7% in Q1It marks the third consecutive quarter of growth for Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Buccellati, and Vhernier.
WatchesJul 16, 2025
The Top-Selling Rolex Models of the Last 15 Years, According to Bob’s Watches The reseller’s market trends report, based on its sales data, also shows exactly how much Rolex prices have jumped since 2010.
AuctionsJul 16, 2025
Christie’s To Honor Dinh Van With ExhibitionThe auction house will be hosting a retrospective paying tribute to jeweler Jean Dinh Van and his company’s 60th anniversary.
IndependentsJul 16, 2025
Clyde Duneier Ushers In Fourth GenerationJake Duneier and Danielle Duneier-Goldberg have stepped into the roles of CEO and president, respectively.
