Retail giants, Macy's and Target, unveil their seasonal workforce expansion strategies
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Shopping giants Target and Macy's have unveiled their holiday hiring strategies, aiming to staff up for the bustling yuletide season. Here's a breakdown of the retail heavyweights' plans.
Target Aims High
After employing over 400,000 people, Target announced it'll ramp up its labor force even further, seeking to hire almost 100,000 seasonal employees. This marks the same number of hires it aimed for in the previous years.
Macy's Takes a Step Back
Meanwhile, Macy's announced its aim to fill more than 38,000 full- and part-time positions this year, which is a slight reduction from the 41,000 hires it made last year. Nonetheless, Macy's maintained that its hiring plans for this year are in line with 2022 open positions.
Applying for the Gig
Applications for Target open on Wednesday, with the option for potential employees to submit an application online as well as attend two nationwide in-person hiring events this fall. Macy's will also accept applications online, with availability at these events as well.
A Cultural Boost and Attractive Offers
Both retailers emphasized their unique perks for seasonal employees. Target touted competitive wages (ranging from $15 to $24), discounted merchandise, healthcare benefits, and flexible schedules. On the other hand, Macy's emphasized a "competitive culture" and career opportunities during the festive season.
Behind the Numbers
Amid growing uncertainty regarding holiday sales in 2022, retailers might be taking a more cautious approach to seasonal hiring. Macy's hiring level is just under that of 2021. Interestingly, Target's hiring is on par with the last two years, but it's important to note that some positions might require more than one employee.
Target's Expanded Holiday Services
Target's holiday hires primarily consist of roles likeGuest Advocates, Front of Store Attendants, Fulfillment Experts, General Merchandising Experts, Food and Beverage Experts, and Style Consultants. Tasks will include stocking products, scanning and bagging items, and supporting Target's order pick-up and drive-up services, including expanded offerings for Starbucks order pickup and return services.
Macy's Top Priorities
Macy's aims to hire employees for roles at its Macy's, Bloomingdale's, and Bluemercury stores, as well as its distribution centers. The company stressed the importance of a competitive pay structure, a strong company culture, and career opportunities for its seasonal employees.
Embracing the Holiday Spirit
Target and Macy's seasonal employees play a crucial role in delivering an unparalleled shopping experience during the holiday season. Emily Hebert, senior vice president of stores HR at Target, shared her thoughts: "Delivering an exceptional shopping experience is at the heart of how Team Target operates and is driven by our culture of caring, growing, and winning together." Similar sentiments were echoed by Danielle Kirgan, Macy's chief transformation and human resources officer.
Sources:
- Employee reviews of Macy's
- Macy's hiring locations in La Jolla, CA, and Sterling Heights, MI
- Macy's fiscal year 2023 workforce statistics
While specific details regarding Target's 2022 seasonal hiring plans were not provided, it's well known that both retailers invest heavily in their workforce during holiday seasons, supplementing their permanent staff with thousands of seasonal hires. This allows companies to meet the increased demand during critical holiday retail periods and provide top-notch shopping experiences.
- Despite a more cautious approach this year, retailers like Target and Macy's are likely to hire almost 138,000 seasonal employees combined for the holiday season, as announced by their respective hiring strategies.
- To meet the demand of the bustling yuletide season, Target plans to expand its workforce by hiring almost 100,000 seasonal employees, a number similar to its hires in previous years.
- Macy's is also gearing up for the upcoming holidays, aiming to fill more than 38,000 full- and part-time positions, albeit slightly fewer than the 41,000 hires it made last year.
- Applications for Target's seasonal jobs open on Wednesday, and potential employees can submit their applications online or attend in-person hiring events this fall.
- Macy's is offering competitive pay structures and fostering a strong company culture as incentives for prospective applicants, while Target promises attractive benefits such as flexible schedules, healthcare benefits, and discounted merchandise.
