Published December 7, 2022
New Seasonal Retail Jobs Fall Below 2021 Levels
As job cuts rise and economic softness looms, the number of seasonal jobs added in Retail has fallen to the lowest level for November since 2008, according to an analysis of non-seasonally adjusted data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) by global outplacement and executive coaching firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc.
Retailers added 256,700 jobs in November, according to non-seasonally adjusted data from the BLS, down 26% from the 348,600 jobs added in November last year, and the lowest number of jobs added in the sector for that month since 2008, when 213,600 Retail positions were added. That year, 15,351,700 were employed in Retail companies.
So far this holiday season, Retailers have added 418,700 jobs, down 27% from the 573,000 jobs added in October and November of 2021.
Retail Employment In November At 2018 Levels
However, employment in the Retail sector is higher than last year. According to the BLS, 16,076,400 Americans are employed in Retail, the highest November for the sector since 2018, when 16,191,000 were employed. In 2018, Retailers added 494,500 jobs in November.
“It’s clear that Retailers that hire seasonal workers are taking a cautious approach to adding positions this holiday season. Many are still unsure if workers will be needed in-store versus in online fulfillment roles, as consumers begin to return to stores. Many are still unsure if consumer spending will justify new hires, particularly as layoffs begin to ripple around the economy,” said Andrew Challenger, Senior Vice President of Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc.
Transportation and Warehousing Update
Meanwhile, similarly, Transportation and Warehousing added 167,900 jobs in November, a 30% decrease from the 239,800 new positions added in the same month last year. So far this year, the sector has added 233,700 jobs for the holiday season, down 35% from the 361,400 added in October and November 2021.
Unlike Retail, however, total employment for Transportation & Warehousing is 6,714,800, according to non-seasonally adjusted data from the BLS, the highest total for the sector on record, surpassing last December’s previous high of 6,689,000.
Announced Large-Scale Seasonal Hiring Plans
Challenger has tracked fewer large-scale seasonal hiring announcements this year than last, as well. Through November, companies had announced 966,300 seasonal hiring plans. So far this year, companies have announced just 597,600 hiring plans for the holiday season, a 38% decrease.
“Seasonal employers in both Retail and Transportation & Warehousing have been recruiting and attempting to retain workers for over two years, so it’s not a surprise that new jobs added around the holidays are down, especially with a downturn looming on the horizon,” said Challenger.
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