With the holiday season for retail on its way, how can your company prepare for the upcoming need to hire more people? We have a few peak season hiring trends in the retail industry that may help you find those needed employees!

Initial Hiring Outlook for the Retail

The initial hiring outlook in retail saw several changes that will affect the hiring landscape this peak season. With the expansion of e-commerce stores, consumers have many more options over traditional retail avenues. As such, businesses’ needs must also evolve into online spaces to stay relevant.

With retail and technology merging to get customers to shop at their storefronts, the mindset of retail can be to invest big in their businesses through fulfillment upgrades, company acquisitions, and implementing a digital sales model. These expansions can create new types of needs for warehouse fulfillment and call center, along with the traditional need retail has within stores. Preparing your company for these expansions can give you a leg up when the time comes for growth within your company.

Avenues for Candidates

Some of the best places to find candidates include the clothing and accessory sector, where nearly 31% of all retail workers under 24 currently work. Try looking within this and other parts of the retail industry to find both entry-level and experienced workers for whom you can offer a better situation. While some of the largest retail companies continue to grow, other retail hiring trends identified by the BLS (U.S. Bureau of Labor) show that retail has been down regarding job expansion.

The declines in employment in the retail industry have been affecting electronics and appliance stores and general merchandise while building material and garden supply industries have increased their job needs and positions. Sourcing from these declining sectors of retail can help you find new candidates who are already experienced within retail and may need a new opportunity.

Building Brand Loyalty by Employees

Competition to hire great candidates is at its highest point within the retail space and companies must wield their benefits to potential employees, selling their brand as much as they sell their products to customers. 

You can put yourself into an advantageous position by selling your company’s benefits and perks along with the values and mission of your company. By honing in your messaging, you can establish your brand trust within employees and potential employees by championing and adhering to those values. Showing the benefits your company offers may seem easy but try positioning your company beyond just health care benefits.

Standing Out Among the Crowd

Does your company offer long-term careers over temporary work? Do you focus on helping your employees grow their career aspirations? Do you offer flexible positions within your company’s various divisions? All of these can set you above other potential employers and could be the difference between getting the hire or missing them!

The importance of showing the “why” behind your company should be taken care of by determining a list of what your company does different. The “why” of what you do as a company is much more impactful to potential candidates than it has ever been before.

Using and understanding these peak season hiring trends, you can work to target candidates for your positions to get the best possible fit for your company. If you’re looking for help with hiring needs, contact IntelliSource today to work with us and find the solutions you need to help your business thrive!