Gap Inc announced Tuesday that it would hire more than 63,000 seasonal employees across the country at its Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy and Athleta stores, call centers and distribution centers, for the approaching holiday season. The retailer is also holding in-store hiring events at all four stores nationwide.
This holiday season is expected to be a more promotional one, with retailers discounting as they have throughout the year, and focusing more on social and digital engagement to bring shoppers in.
According to a report released by global consultancy Challenger, Gray & Christmas last month, holiday hiring could hit pre-recession levels—possibly reaching 800,000 hires—owed to increased consumer spending and job growth. Macy’s Inc. said in September that it would hire 86,000 seasonal workers, up 3.6% from last year, and the company said the growth is being fueled by its expanding online business. Kohl’s intends to hire more than 67,000 workers, a 15 percent increase over last year, and holiday hires at Walmart will be up 10 percent to 60,000.
The seasonal positions at Gap Inc. stores will vary from sales floor customer service to handling call center inquiries, and coordinating shipments from distribution centers to stores, and directly to consumers who have purchased product online, in-stores or from mobile devices.
Dan Henkle, SVP of human resources at Gap, said the in-store talent searches are designed to attract the best holiday hires, as the company believes in investing in its front line employees who interact with customers daily. “Whether our customers are shopping in our stores, online or on mobile devices, our top priority is providing a seamless experience during the craze of holiday shopping,” he said.