Holiday job openings reach records as retailers anticipate increased sales

Employers are looking for 704,000 seasonal workers this holiday season. Dustin Franz for The Washington Post.

Employers are looking for 704,000 seasonal workers this holiday season. Dustin Franz for The Washington Post.
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By Holly Shively
Oct 17, 2018
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More seasonal jobs are available for holiday workers than potentially ever before.

With Amazon’s announcement that it will hire about 100,000 seasonal workers, holiday hiring announcements this year have surpassed the previous record total of nearly 696,000 seasonal jobs set in 2014. This is the highest level since global outplacement and executive coaching firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas has tracked the jobs.

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Companies hiring seasonal workers for the holidays have announced 704,000 jobs this season, according to a tally released Wednesday by the firm.

“The competition for seasonal workers is intense, especially as companies expand their compensation and benefits offerings,” said Andrew Challenger, vice president of Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc.

»RELATED: Major mall spaces emptying as holiday shopping approaches

The surge in hiring announcements comes during high consumer confidence, when unemployment is low and consumers are spending more. The National Retail Federation estimates holiday spending will rise as much as 4.8 percent for the holiday season.

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About the Author

Holly Shively