Retail/ Holiday-Seasonal Hiring

Continues to lead the pack and the story at this time of year (which is typical). Among retailers that have announced hiring plans against the uncertain background of the pandemic, hiring is mainly aimed at bolstering workforces to cater for a huge anticipated surge in e-commerce activity. However, overall growth in retail sales jobs compared to this time last year is slow.

Notable upticks from 2019 hiring:

• Michaels has announced 16,000 seasonal jobs (15,000 in 2019)
• UPS announced 100,000 (95,000 in 2019)
• FedEx announced 70,000 (55,000 last year)
• 1-800-Flowers.com, Inc. will add 10,000 jobs (8,000 in 2019)
• L Brands will add 4,000 (2019 N/A)

While the slow-down in economic growth over 2019 may impact the total number hired over the season, there is a serious shortage of workers who are looking for roles like this.

World

• United Kingdom: Hiring in the UK has returned to pre-pandemic levels, but it is unlikely to improve at a rate that will offset the nation’s rising unemployment.
• India: Hiring optimism grows in India, according to the Economic Times
• China: Service sector recovery strengthens in October, hiring picks up - firms hired more for the third month in a row and at the fastest pace since September 2019, indicating a strengthening recovery in a labor market hit hard earlier in the year

Odds & Sods

• Kate Middleton and Prince William Are Hiring a New Housekeeper
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