Macy’s Inc. Seeks 38,000 Seasonal Workers
Macy’s Inc. is seeking fewer seasonal workers for the upcoming holiday season than it brought on board last year.
The retailer said it plans to hire for more than 38,000 full- and part-time seasonal positions this upcoming holiday season at its Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s and Bluemercury stores, as well as its distribution centers. In 2022, Macy’s Inc. hired approximately 41,000 seasonal holiday positions.
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In the announcement Monday, Macy’s characterized this year’s number of seasonal positions as “consistent with open positions in 2022.”
But retailers would be expected to be hiring fewer people this year for several reasons. First, they have modest expectations for sales during holiday 2023, seen ranging from single-digit declines to single-digit gains, depending on the retailer. Second, labor costs are going up.
Also, the labor market has been tight and filling retail positions is being complicated by rising crime on the selling floors, particularly by organized “smash and grab” gangs, putting some retail workers in harm’s way.
Last week, Reuters reported that for holiday 2023, U.S. retailers will hire the lowest number of seasonal workers since the 2008 Great Recession, based on a report received from Challenger, Gray & Christmas. The news agency reported that retailers are expected to add just 410,000 seasonal jobs this season, or slightly above the 324,900 hired during the last quarter of 2008. The report, which utilized data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, also noted that U.S. retailers added 519,400 jobs in the last quarter of 2022, which was a 26 percent decline from the corresponding 2021 period.
The fourth quarter is the most important part of the year for sales and profits for most retailers, so staffing up at that time is critical. Macy’s holiday season will be fueled by pumped-up gift offerings in beauty; merchandising revolving around the 100th anniversary of Disney; the new Toys R Us in-store shops, which were rolled out last year through the entire chain, and the “On 34th” private brand collection, unveiled last month. Cashmere, fine jewelry, housewares and textiles are expected outperformers for holiday. In beauty, gift offerings will represent 40 percent of the offering in the fourth quarter, from 30 percent the rest of the year.
Macy’s sales trends have been negative this year and are not expected to turn positive until 2024.
“The holidays are one of Macy’s Inc.’s most important seasons to deliver a great shopping experience for our customers and our colleagues are the company’s greatest brand ambassadors at this special time of year,” Danielle Kirgan, Macy’s Inc. chief transformation and human resources officer, said in a statement. “We are pleased to enhance our team of customer service professionals during the holidays with more than 38,000 seasonal positions. Whether they are looking for extra income for the season or the start of a new career in retail, we offer an unmatched culture, competitive pay and fulfilling retail career opportunities.”
Job seekers can apply online at macysJOBS.com, bloomingdalesJOBS.com and bluemercury.com. They can also apply in person by visiting any Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s or Bluemercury store for Sept. 21 and Oct. 19 holiday hiring events, for on-the-spot interviews.
Candidates interested in supply chain positions can apply online or in-person during the special hiring events by visiting Macy’s Inc.’s distribution centers located in Cheshire, Conn.; Goodyear, Ariz.; Martinsburg, W.V.; Portland, Tenn., and Tulsa, Okla.
Macy’s Inc. said that the company offers “the flexibility to manage work and life while pursuing exciting and fulfilling career opportunities. Nearly one third of store leadership started their careers with the company during the holiday season.”
The company also said it offers “competitive pay” with many positions starting at a minimum of $15 an hour, instant access to earned wages, flexible scheduling including regular and optional overtime shifts, a merchandise discount, possible eligibility to earn referral bonuses of up to $500 for every friend and family member they recruit to join Macy’s Inc., and possible incremental income through various incentive programs.
The retailer indicated that all of its stores and distribution centers have seasonal jobs available, but the most job openings are at:
Macy’s in Boston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Nashville, Philadelphia and Seattle.
Bloomingdale’s in Boston; Chicago; Garden City, N.Y.; Miami; New York; as well as in Northern and Southern California, and Northern New Jersey.
Bluemercury in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles and various markets in Florida and Southern California.
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