Job seekers are bullish about nabbing a job in retail, with applications up 70% since Sept. 2022 and 15% from last year, according to the latest findings from iCIMS, a provider of talent-acquisition technology. However, employers are not on the same page – openings and hires are on the decline.
What might that mismatch mean for this year’s holiday shopping season?
“… Key industries impacting the holiday shopping experience show job-seeker demand far outweighing openings and hires,” says Rhea Moss, Global Head of Workforce and Customer Insights. “To give shoppers the service they’ve come to expect, employers in retail and transportation must have their staffing in place.”
Other noteworthy holiday hiring trends drawn from iCIMS’ proprietary data include:
- Retail applications surge over two years. Job seekers are bullish about nabbing a job in retail, with applications up 70% since September 2022 and 15% from last year. However, employers do not show the same level of enthusiasm. Retail openings and hires are down from two years ago, falling 25% and 23%, respectively.
- Openings for transportation jobs are on the rise. The transportation industry saw a 15% uptick in job openings since last September, which could be good news for online shoppers waiting for their holiday packages to arrive. While applications are up 35% from September 2022, hiring is down 17% over the same period and remains consistent with last year’s levels.
- Younger generations are dominating the applicant pool. Gen Z made up the largest pool of retail and transportation applicants by age, and the bulk of applicants for both segments were under 35. Despite older workers coming out of retirement, only 11% of retail and transportation applicants in September were over 54.
- Part-time job openings are lagging. Full-time job openings grew 5% between September 2023 and September 2024, while part-time openings only squeaked 1% higher during the same period.
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