CrimeDec 15, 2025
Men Receive Life Sentences in Home Invasion Murder of Jeweler Carlos Jose Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo were sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in the 2024 murder of Hussein “Sam” Murray.
MajorsOct 20, 2016
Will the Majors Hire More Seasonal Workers This Year?
Many will hire about the same amount as last year, but will relegate more holiday employees to e-commerce-related positions.
Macy’s said it will hire for 83,000 positions this holiday season, which is only slightly less than the 86,000 it hired in 2015. Pictured here is the Macy’s at The Mall at Millenia in Orlando, Fla.
New York--A number of firms have made predictions about consumer spending during the upcoming holiday season, with most of them expecting it to increase.
The NPD Group forecasts a 3 percent year-over-year rise in consumer spending, and the National Retail Federation said it expects U.S. retail sales in November and December (excluding autos, gas and restaurants) to increase nearly 4 percent.
But, do the major retailers also think that consumer purchasing will be strong this season?
Their plans for seasonal hiring could be a good indication that they do, with many of the major retailers hiring about the same amount as last year or a little more, but relegating more seasonal hires to positions that help with their e-commerce divisions.
Global outplacement consultancy Challenger,
Gray & Christmas Inc. said in its recent outlook that it expects more than 700,000 retail job gains this holiday season.
This means retail hiring is predicted to remain almost flat from a year ago, when holiday hiring saw 738,000 positions filled during the final three months of the year, a 1 percent decrease from 2014, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Target announced mid-September that it would hire an additional 70,000 seasonal team members across its store locations, marking the fourth year in a row that it’s doing so.
Meanwhile, Kohl’s said it would hire more than 69,000 associates across its stores and distribution and e-commerce fulfillment centers, about even with the 67,000 it hired last year.
Retailer J.C. Penney will hire 40,000 employees during this year’s holiday season--38,000 in its retail locations and the other 2,000 taking care of its online orders.
This is up from last year’s 30,000 holiday hires, which the company said is to allow its managers more control of the workforce, scheduling people as needed. J.C. Penney also said it is interested in keeping some of the seasonal employees as permanent ones after the holiday season is over, though it didn’t specify how many.
Amazon said it will create more than 120,000 seasonal positions across its network of fulfillment centers, sorting centers and customer service sites in the United States, up 20 percent from the 100,000 workers the company hired last year.
Macy’s will hire for 83,000 positions at its Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s stores, call centers, distribution and fulfillment centers across the country, which is slightly less than the 86,000 it hired for the 2015 holiday season.
Shift to behind-the-scenes
Challenger, Gray & Christmas also noted that while seasonal retail jobs remain flat, there has been a marked increase in seasonal job gains in other sectors.
The one with the biggest increase in recent years has been transportation and warehousing, “as more and more holiday shopping is done online,” the company said.
This reflects a larger trend of the transition of many seasonal jobs from being in-store positions to positions in fulfillment centers, distribution and customer service.
About 15,000 of Macy’s 120,000 seasonal jobs will be based in direct-to-consumer fulfillment facilities to support sales generated by its omnichannel business strategy, up from the 3,000 positions that were designated as such last year.
Target said that it will hire 7,500 team members for distribution and fulfillment facilities for the holiday season, about 1,000 more than it did last year for those positions. These employees will help restock stores while also fulfilling the high volume of online orders expected this year.
Challenger, Gray & Christmas also noted that seasonal hiring isn’t limited to retail or retail-related industries.
As more Americans give experiential gifts instead of material things, this means there also are more seasonal employment opportunities at places such as theaters, restaurants and other entertainment venues.
This means retail hiring is predicted to remain almost flat from a year ago, when holiday hiring saw 738,000 positions filled during the final three months of the year, a 1 percent decrease from 2014, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Target announced mid-September that it would hire an additional 70,000 seasonal team members across its store locations, marking the fourth year in a row that it’s doing so.
Meanwhile, Kohl’s said it would hire more than 69,000 associates across its stores and distribution and e-commerce fulfillment centers, about even with the 67,000 it hired last year.
Retailer J.C. Penney will hire 40,000 employees during this year’s holiday season--38,000 in its retail locations and the other 2,000 taking care of its online orders.
This is up from last year’s 30,000 holiday hires, which the company said is to allow its managers more control of the workforce, scheduling people as needed. J.C. Penney also said it is interested in keeping some of the seasonal employees as permanent ones after the holiday season is over, though it didn’t specify how many.
Amazon said it will create more than 120,000 seasonal positions across its network of fulfillment centers, sorting centers and customer service sites in the United States, up 20 percent from the 100,000 workers the company hired last year.
Macy’s will hire for 83,000 positions at its Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s stores, call centers, distribution and fulfillment centers across the country, which is slightly less than the 86,000 it hired for the 2015 holiday season.
Shift to behind-the-scenes
Challenger, Gray & Christmas also noted that while seasonal retail jobs remain flat, there has been a marked increase in seasonal job gains in other sectors.
The one with the biggest increase in recent years has been transportation and warehousing, “as more and more holiday shopping is done online,” the company said.
This reflects a larger trend of the transition of many seasonal jobs from being in-store positions to positions in fulfillment centers, distribution and customer service.
About 15,000 of Macy’s 120,000 seasonal jobs will be based in direct-to-consumer fulfillment facilities to support sales generated by its omnichannel business strategy, up from the 3,000 positions that were designated as such last year.
Target said that it will hire 7,500 team members for distribution and fulfillment facilities for the holiday season, about 1,000 more than it did last year for those positions. These employees will help restock stores while also fulfilling the high volume of online orders expected this year.
Challenger, Gray & Christmas also noted that seasonal hiring isn’t limited to retail or retail-related industries.
As more Americans give experiential gifts instead of material things, this means there also are more seasonal employment opportunities at places such as theaters, restaurants and other entertainment venues.
More on Majors
The Latest
Policies & IssuesDec 15, 2025
Sara Yood Named Co-Chair of RJC Standards CommitteeYood will serve alongside Eduard Stefanescu, the sustainability manager for C.Hafner, a precious metals refiner in Germany.
IndependentsDec 15, 2025
M.S. Rau to Open Store in AspenThe New Orleans jeweler is also hosting pop-up jewelry boutiques in New York City and Dallas.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
AuctionsDec 12, 2025
13.54-Carat Paraíba Tourmaline Sets Records at Christie’sSet in a Tiffany & Co. necklace, it sold for $4.2 million, the highest price and price per carat paid for a Paraíba tourmaline at auction.
Weekly QuizDec 11, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsDec 12, 2025
Piece of the Week: Oscar Heyman’s Sphene RingTake luxury gifting to new heights this holiday season with the jeweler’s showstopping 12-carat sphene ring.
Events & AwardsDec 12, 2025
IGI Jewelry Design Contest Now Accepting SubmissionsThis year's theme is “Unveiling the Depths of the Ocean.”
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
TrendsDec 11, 2025
Pinterest 2026 Trend Report: Brooches, Bold Gold, Cool BlueIn its annual report, Pinterest noted an increase in searches for brooches, heirloom jewelry, and ‘80s luxury.
GradingDec 11, 2025
GIA to Offer Origin Determination for 3 More GemstonesStarting Jan. 1, customers can request the service for opal, peridot, and demantoid garnet.
IndependentsDec 11, 2025
Look Inside Day’s Jewelers’ Ninth StoreThe 111-year-old retailer celebrated the opening of its new location in Salem, New Hampshire, which is its third store in the state.
AuctionsDec 10, 2025
Francis Ford Coppola’s Watch Sells for $10.8MThe filmmaker’s personal F.P. Journe “FFC” prototype was the star of Phillips’ recent record-setting watch auction in New York.
WatchesDec 10, 2025
There’s A New Rolex Boutique in MiamiThe new location in the Design District pays homage to Miami’s Art Deco heritage and its connection to the ocean.
SurveysDec 10, 2025
Consumer Confidence Drops in November Inflations, tariffs, and politics—including the government shutdown—were among consumers’ top concerns last month.
SourcingDec 10, 2025
NAJA Announces Details for 2026 ‘Ace It’ Winter Conference“Longtime favorite” presenters, as well as first-time speakers, will lead talks and workshops at the annual event in Tucson next year.
Events & AwardsDec 10, 2025
MJSA Names 2025 Responsible Design Challenge WinnerSilas Smith of Meridian Metalworks won the challenge with his pendant that blends Australian and American landscapes.
AuctionsDec 09, 2025
‘Desert Rose’ Diamond Sells for $8.8M in Abu DhabiThe sale of the 31.68-carat, sunset-hued stone was part of Sotheby’s first series of events and auctions in Abu Dhabi.
ColumnistsDec 09, 2025
Holiday Sales Happen in December, Most Decisions Don’tMost customers who walk into your store this month have made up their minds. Your job is to validate their choice, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
TrendsDec 09, 2025
‘Once Upon a Time,’ Guzema Debuted Its Holiday CollectionThe collection features characters and motifs from Ukrainian folklore, including an enchanted mirror and a magic egg.
TechnologyDec 09, 2025
Gemvision Releases Updated MatrixGoldMatrixGold 3.11, the newest version of the jewelry design program, offers more flexibility, precision, and creative control.
Events & AwardsDec 09, 2025
MJSA Showcase Pavilion Returning to JA New York The pavilion will be part of the 2026 JA New York Spring show, scheduled for March 15 to 17.
MajorsDec 08, 2025
Juell Kadet, a ‘Lifelong Pillar’ of Rogers & Hollands, Dies at 96Kadet, a 1994 National Jeweler Retailer Hall of Fame inductee, helped grow the family-owned retailer in the Chicago area and beyond.
TechnologyDec 08, 2025
You’ve Heard of Smart Watches and Rings; Meet Smart EarringsBilled as the world’s smallest wearable, Lumia Health’s new smart earrings have a health tracker subtly embedded in the back.
TrendsDec 08, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Celebrating December’s BirthstonesDon’t let those with December birthdays feel blue. Help them celebrate their month with blue zircon, turquoise, and tanzanite.
CollectionsDec 05, 2025
Piece of the Week: Robinson Pelham’s ‘Tsar Star’ EarringsThe new pink sapphire version of the piece dances with its wearer in the brand’s “Icons After Dark” holiday campaign.
TrendsDec 05, 2025
Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2026 Is … WhiteA choice that’s generated a lot of commentary, Pantone says “Cloud Dancer” marks a fresh start and encourages relaxation and creativity.
MajorsDec 05, 2025
Stuller Releases ‘Wrapped in Wonder’ CampaignThe manufacturer’s holiday campaign features a gift guide filled with trending designs and jewelry that can be personalized.
