Retailers are expected to hire fewer seasonal workers again this year as they continue to lean on existing staff, automation and other resources.
Seasonal retail hiring is expected to fall below last year's level to 450,000 jobs added during the fourth quarter of the year, predicts Challenger, Gray & Christmas. The outplacement and executive coaching firm firm noted that only a handful of companies have announced their 2026 seasonal headcount plans so far.
Although consumers appear to be spending despite high prices, a pattern of quieter hiring announcements suggests retailers are again planning to lean on existing staff and on-demand pools rather than committing to large seasonal waves this early.
"August retail sales jumped 1.2%, and there's no sign of a major spending pullback," said Andy Challenger, workplace expert and chief revenue officer of Challenger, Gray & Christmas. "But that resilience is not translating into large, early hiring commitments from the biggest retailers."With prices still high and tariffs continuing to work through supply chains, retailers are leaning on automation, existing associates and on-demand pools before hiring net-new seasonal workers, he ...