Target Hiring 100,000 Workers for Holiday Season

Target gave the holiday hiring season a kick-start Wednesday, announcing it will hire more than 100,000 seasonal workers this year — a big increase from last year.

This makes the retailer one of the first to announce its hiring plans for the 2017 holiday shopping season, CNBC reports. CNBC also notes that the scope of Target’s hiring plans suggests seasonal hiring will be healthy across the retail industry.

Craig Johnson, president of research firm Consumer Growth Partners, tells CNBC, “Seasonal hiring is an indication of where the market is headed. If they’re hiring more people, this is good news.”

Target says it will hire about 104,500 seasonal workers in total, including 4,500 for its distribution and fulfillment centers. That’s up from the 77,500 total seasonal hires that Target said it planned to hire this time last year.

Employees in stores may help with stocking shelves, guiding shoppers and fulfilling online orders. Employees in distribution and fulfillment centers will process shipments to stores and fulfill online orders.

Employee benefits will include:

• Market-competitive wages
• A 10 percent merchandise discount in stores and online
• An additional 20 percent merchandise discount for produce, Simply Balanced brand food items and C9 athletic brand items
• A variety of schedules

All Target stores nationwide will host hiring events Oct. 13 through Oct. 15 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. Applicants will be able to meet store leaders, and eligible applicants could be interviewed on the spot and receive conditional job offers.

If you or someone you know is interested in Target’s seasonal openings, note that you don’t have to wait until October. You can apply in advance online.

If you’re interested in a seasonal job, whether at Target or elsewhere, be sure to check out “9 Ways to Get a Good Holiday Job This Year.”

What’s your take on the holiday shopping season already getting underway? Sound off below or on our Facebook page.