CollectionsApr 25, 2025
Sylvie Looks to Water in New Sculptural Bridal Collection“Shell Auranova” is the next generation of the brand’s bridal line, featuring half-bezel engagement rings with bold and fluid designs.
MajorsOct 18, 2018
Here’s How the Majors Will Be Hiring This Holiday Season
Plus, the NRF and Deloitte make retail sales predictions for November and December.
Macy’s said it will hire 80,000 seasonal workers for the 2018 holiday season, about the same as last year. Pictured here is the Macy’s store in West Palm Beach, Florida.
New York—Prognosticators have made their predictions for 2018 holiday sales and, if they are right, then retailers are in for a solid season.
The National Retail Federation said it expects retail sales in November and December—excluding automobiles, gas and restaurants—to increase between 4.3 and 4.8 percent over last year with spending totaling $717.45 billion to $720.89 billion.
This exceeds the average annual increase of 3.9 percent over the past five years and is in line with the NRF’s prediction that annual retail sales for 2018 will increase at least 4.5 percent compared with 2017.
“With this year’s forecast, we continue to see strong momentum from consumers as they do the heavy lifting in supporting our economy,” NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz said. “The combination of increased job creation, improved wages, tamed inflation and an increase in net worth all provide the capacity and the confidence to spend.”
Deloitte’s sales forecast is even more bullish, with the firm predicting holiday sales will increase 5 to 5.6 percent over last year. The firm also expects a 17 to 22 percent increase in e-commerce sales in 2018, compared with 16.6 percent in 2017.
Deloitte’s U.S. economic forecaster, Daniel Bachman, said the anticipated holiday sales growth is likely because of solid disposable personal income growth as well as a strong labor market, elevated consumer confidence and a stable personal savings rate.
In addition to these predictions, a good indicator of the strength or weakness of the coming season is an examination of major retailers and their holiday hiring plans; hiring more extra help is generally an indication that the retailers think more consumers will be shopping.
And if that’s the case, 2018 could be a big one.
According to outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, holiday hiring announcements this year have surpassed the previous record total of about 696,000 seasonal jobs set in 2014. So far, companies hiring for the holidays have announced plans to add 704,000 jobs for the upcoming season.
The surge in hiring comes as consumer confidence hits an 18-year high, according to the firm.
Interestingly, Challenger also noted that seasonal jobs no longer are just in retail; with the rise of online shopping, transport and warehousing companies also are looking for holiday employees.
Here’s are the seasonal hiring plans of a few of the nation’s largest retailers.
Target will hire about 120,000 seasonal employees to serve guests across
its 1,839 stores in the United States, which is a 20 percent increase over last year. On top of that, it will hire 7,500 more employees for its distribution and fulfillment centers.
This is the largest holiday hiring plan by a traditional retailer since Challenger began tracking these announcements in 2012, it said, and is equal only to Amazon’s announcement to hire 120,000 workers last year.
Amazon, however, has scaled back its holiday hiring this year. The Seattle-based retailer said it plans to bring on only about 100,000 extra employees for the season.
Macy’s will hire approximately 80,000 seasonal workers for positions at its Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s call centers, distribution centers and online fulfillment centers across the country, about the same as last year.
The company said about 23,500 of those will be based in direct-to-consumer fulfillment facilities to support sales generated through an omnichannel strategy, which is 5,500 more positions in that area than last year, indicating the importance of omnichannel this holiday season.
J.C. Penney is hiring more than 39,000 seasonal associates nationwide across its stores, supply chain and customer care centers this year, which is just slightly less than the 40,000 it hired last year.
Kohl’s intends to bring on 90,000 seasonal employees across its more than 1,100 stores, nine distribution centers, five e-commerce fulfillment centers and credit centers nationwide.
Last year, the retailer did not release specific holiday hiring numbers, saying only that it expected hiring to be at similar levels as in recent years. In 2016, the company hired about 69,000 and the year before that it was 67,000.
Walmart, meanwhile, told National Jeweler that for the past two years, it has given holiday hours to current employees, noting that the strategy has “worked very well” and generated positive feedback from customers and associates.
The retailer said it will employ the same strategy for the upcoming holiday season; though there might be some hiring on a store-by-store basis, the majority of stores will give extra hours to current employees.
This is the largest holiday hiring plan by a traditional retailer since Challenger began tracking these announcements in 2012, it said, and is equal only to Amazon’s announcement to hire 120,000 workers last year.
Amazon, however, has scaled back its holiday hiring this year. The Seattle-based retailer said it plans to bring on only about 100,000 extra employees for the season.
Macy’s will hire approximately 80,000 seasonal workers for positions at its Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s call centers, distribution centers and online fulfillment centers across the country, about the same as last year.
The company said about 23,500 of those will be based in direct-to-consumer fulfillment facilities to support sales generated through an omnichannel strategy, which is 5,500 more positions in that area than last year, indicating the importance of omnichannel this holiday season.
J.C. Penney is hiring more than 39,000 seasonal associates nationwide across its stores, supply chain and customer care centers this year, which is just slightly less than the 40,000 it hired last year.
Kohl’s intends to bring on 90,000 seasonal employees across its more than 1,100 stores, nine distribution centers, five e-commerce fulfillment centers and credit centers nationwide.
Last year, the retailer did not release specific holiday hiring numbers, saying only that it expected hiring to be at similar levels as in recent years. In 2016, the company hired about 69,000 and the year before that it was 67,000.
Walmart, meanwhile, told National Jeweler that for the past two years, it has given holiday hours to current employees, noting that the strategy has “worked very well” and generated positive feedback from customers and associates.
The retailer said it will employ the same strategy for the upcoming holiday season; though there might be some hiring on a store-by-store basis, the majority of stores will give extra hours to current employees.
More on Majors
The Latest
FinancialsApr 25, 2025
Kering’s Jewelry Brands Persevere as Q1 Sales Sink 14%Boucheron and Pomellato performed well in an otherwise bleak quarter for Kering amid struggles at Gucci.
EditorsApr 25, 2025
Piece of the Week: Deborah Meyers Experience’s ‘The Birds’ EarringsDesigner Deborah Meyers created her birds from oxidized sterling silver, rose-cut diamond eyes, and Akoya Keshi pearl feathers.
Brought to you by
Emerging Jewelers Accelerator Program Announces Second Cohort of Aspiring Jewelry Entrepreneurs Six new retail businesses were selected for the 2025 program, which began in January.
SourcingApr 25, 2025
De Beers Sales, Production Fall in Q1 Amid UncertaintyThe company said it expects sightholders to remain “cautious” with their purchasing due to all the unknowns around the U.S. tariffs.
Weekly QuizApr 24, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Supplier BulletinApr 24, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessSponsored by the Gemological Institute of America
EditorsApr 24, 2025
Q&A: Wolf’s CEO Talks U.S. ExpansionSimon Wolf shares why the time was right to open a new office here, what he looks for in a retail partner, and why he loves U.S. consumers.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessThe risk of laboratory-grown diamonds being falsely presented as natural diamonds presents a very significant danger to consumer trust.
IndependentsApr 24, 2025
Longtime Iowa Jeweler Herman Ginsberg Dies at 99 A third-generation jeweler, Ginsberg worked at his family’s store, Ginsberg Jewelers, from 1948 until his retirement in 2019.
FinancialsApr 24, 2025
Charles & Colvard Delisted From Nasdaq Due to NoncomplianceThe company failed to file its quarterly reports in a timely manner.
SourcingApr 24, 2025
Young Diamantaires Transition to NonprofitThe organization also announced its board of directors.
TrendsApr 24, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: So CharmingCharms may be tiny but with their small size comes endless layering possibilities, from bracelets to necklaces and earrings.
Events & AwardsApr 23, 2025
PDPaola Creative Director Wins FGI’s ‘Rising Star’ AwardPaola Sasplugas, co-founder of the Barcelona-based jewelry brand, received the Fine Jewelry Award.
AuctionsApr 23, 2025
Rare Custom Rolex Daytona Heads to AuctionA platinum Zenith-powered Daytona commissioned in the late ‘90s will headline Sotheby’s Important Watches sale in Geneva next month.
MajorsApr 22, 2025
Zales’ Rebrand Takes Playful Approach to Fine JewelryThe Signet Jewelers-owned retailer wants to encourage younger shoppers to wear fine jewelry every day, not just on special occasions.
AuctionsApr 22, 2025
Christie’s to Auction JAR Jewelry CollectionThe 21 pieces, all from a private collector, will be offered at its Magnificent Jewels auction next month.
ColumnistsApr 22, 2025
The PR Adviser: Building Buzz Through Word of MouthLilian Raji answers a question from a reader who is looking to grow her jewelry business but has a limited marketing budget.
GradingApr 22, 2025
Avi Levy Is GCAL By Sarine’s New Chief Growth OfficerGCAL by Sarine created the new role to sharpen the company’s focus on strategic partnerships and scalable expansion.
IndependentsApr 22, 2025
Brinker’s Jewelers Acquires Fellow IndependentThe Indiana jeweler has acquired Scottsdale Fine Jewelers in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Events & AwardsApr 21, 2025
An Exhibition Exploring the History of Cartier Is Now on Display“Cartier: Design, Craft, and Legacy” opened earlier this month at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
IndependentsApr 21, 2025
New York Jeweler to Close After 111 YearsVan Cott Jewelers in Vestal, New York, is hosting a going-out-of-business sale.
IndependentsApr 21, 2025
IJO Names New Director of Vendor Relations, Merchandise StrategyIndustry veteran Samantha Larson has held leadership roles at Borsheims, McTeigue & McClelland, Stuller, and Long’s Jewelers.
Events & AwardsApr 21, 2025
Jewelers of Louisiana, Mississippi Jewelers Association to Co-Host ConventionThe two organizations will hold the educational event together this fall in Mississippi.
Events & AwardsApr 18, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las VegasThe entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.
CollectionsApr 18, 2025
Piece of the Week: Dukachi’s ‘Easter Bread’ PendantThe Ukrainian brand’s new pendant is modeled after a traditional paska, a pastry often baked for Easter in Eastern European cultures.
IndependentsApr 18, 2025
Bremer Jewelry to Reveal Renovated StoreThe jeweler has announced a grand reopening for its recently remodeled location in Peoria, Illinois.
MajorsApr 18, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Employees Star in Mother’s Day CampaignThe “Strong Like Mom” campaign features moms who work at Tiffany & Co. and their children.
