After two holiday seasons of shoppers avoiding crowds, the retail sector is finally anticipating a flood of foot traffic this year. But hiring managers, fearful of a possible recession, are pulling back on seasonal staffing just when they may need it most.
Despite 85% of retailers expecting an increase in holiday shoppers this year, according to recent data from staffing insights platform UKG, there has already been a 5% decline in total retail shifts worked compared to the same time in 2021. That’s causing higher levels of burnout in holiday hires before the season has even really begun.
