Wed, 26 Nov 2025

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 'This is the first year I can't find a holiday job'

Seasonal hiring is poised to drop to its lowest level since 2008, a sign of caution among US businesses in the face of tariffs and consumer angst.

* Nicholas Strahl, a 41-year-old part-time retail sales associate in Indiana, has been unable to find seasonal holiday employment despite starting his search in early October.
* The National Retail Federation predicts that seasonal hiring will drop to its lowest level since the 2008 recession, with retailers expected to hire between 265,000 and 365,000 workers, down from 442,000 last year.
* Tariffs, inflation, and automation are cited as reasons for the decline in demand for seasonal hires.
* Data from Indeed shows that while there are still postings for seasonal work, more people are seeking these jobs, resulting in a "frozen" labour market.
* Several major retailers, including Target and Walmart, have not announced their holiday hiring plans, with some indicating they will focus on giving extra hours to current employees rather than hiring new staff.
* Smaller retailers are also cautious, citing pressure from tariffs and economic uncertainty as reasons for limiting seasonal hiring.
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