Retailers Boost Their Offerings to Compete for Seasonal Workers

As retailers gear up for the holiday season, they’re offering competitive wages, flexible hours and product discounts to draw seasonal employees at a time when finding workers has been a challenge.

For example, Michaels, which announced in a Tuesday (Sept. 6) press release that it is looking to hire 15,000 seasonal employees, highlighted its offer of competitive wages, flexible hours, a 30% discount and the potential for continued employment after the holidays — as more than half of last year’s seasonal positions turned into full-time roles.

Noting the importance of these workers in serving the arts, crafts and home décor retailer’s customers — which it dubs “Makers” — Michaels Executive Vice President of Stores and Chief Operating Officer Joe Venezia said in the release, “Everything we do is for our Makers, and our seasonal team members are integral to this mission.”

Party City is making a similar offer to potential seasonal employees, promising competitive wages, flexible hours and a 30% employee discount, and adding that about 10% to 15% of seasonal employees are offered permanent employment.

The celebrations retailer said in an Aug. 23 press release that is aiming to hire 20,000 seasonal employees in its retail stores and pop-up locations for the Halloween season.

“We are thrilled to welcome thousands of new faces to the Party City team as we enter the Halloween season,” Party City President and CEO Brad Weston said in the release.

Both companies said they would have special seasonal hiring events at their stores nationwide as well as invite potential employees to apply online.

PYMNTS research has found that another incentive — fast pay — is a perk that’s attractive to potential employees. Workers of all types in the United States are increasingly interested in on-demand payments or other digital payroll approaches that make wages more readily available.

Read more: Offering Gig Workers Competitive Payment Options

Companies that offer more flexible payments will have a clear recruitment advantage when seeking independent workers in high-demand fields.

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