Hiring

The holiday season is on our doorstep, and as retailers are tying a bow on their plans for the busiest time of year, they’ll be paying particular attention to one crucial element: people. Between wages, administrative costs, taxes, benefits and training, labor expenses add up quickly and account for as much as 70 percent of…

Is your organization struggling not only to attract and retain talent but also to keep existing employees engaged and satisfied? If so, you’re not alone, especially if you’re in the retail industry. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the retail labor market shortage saw its most drastic cut in November 2021, when almost…

Several research studies have looked at how diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) strategies that prioritize fairness and equal opportunity, and promote a workplace culture that values diversity, empowers individuals, and fosters a sense of belonging, are impacting today’s workplace. A 2023 study by Pew Research Center found a majority of employed U.S. adults (56 percent)…

Recent news coming out of the supply chain industry shows how major players are continuing to make moves when it comes to their fulfillment and distribution processes, particularly around implementing more automation. While these advancements are great for trimming store-to-home delivery costs, industry professionals are asking themselves what this means for the future of the…

Being a manager in any industry is tough. Being a manager in the retail industry is especially so considering challenges caused by high employee turnover rates. At 60.5 percent, the retail and wholesale industry has the highest turnover rate of any industry, and it’s triggered by employees wanting more workplace flexibility, better pay and compensation,…

Running background checks has never been straightforward in the retail industry, and 2024 will be no exception. Employers nationwide will continue to face an ever-changing landscape of laws and regulations that will require both vigilance and foresight to navigate with confidence. Proceeding without attentiveness and care is likely to result in complications for even the…

The time leading up to the holidays is stressful for retailers. With the season accounting for about 27 percent of total retail sales — and more than a third in some categories — providing an experience that keeps customers online, in stores and spending can make or break a retailer’s profitability for the entire year.…

Over the last few weeks, major retailers like Macy’s, Target, and Dick’s Sporting Goods have announced their seasonal hiring plans for the 2024 holiday season. In stark contrast to last year, which saw them struggling to hire enough workers to meet demand, many of them are hiring for about the same number of positions or…

Businesses, especially those in the service and retail sectors, know all too well the consequences of hiring the wrong employees. Workplace misconduct like theft, violence, harassment and other disruptive behaviors can wreak havoc on a company's bottom line. Take employee theft, for example. This category of misconduct is accompanied by a $50 billion dollar a…

Studies have proven that more diverse teams and organizations perform better. Yet progress with diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives remains stubbornly slow for far too many organizations. During a panel session at Total Retail Tech last month, three leaders from At Home, Build-A-Bear Workshop, and Bandier discussed how their companies have been working to…