Retailers hiring now for holidays - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

If you are looking for some extra spending cash this holiday season, there are more job options. Stores like Kohl's, Toys R Us and Walmart are hiring more holiday workers than last year. But you need to apply "now".

Target is hiring anywhere from 40 to 200 workers at each of its 18 stores from Lafayette to Bloomington. But they are interviewing applicants now, which is unique about this year, as is the number of positions available at retailers like Target.

A recent survey shows out of 14 major retailers, one third report hiring more this holiday season than last. Retail experts say that's a good sign for the economy.

It also means better customer service for the average consumer because more people hired means more people to help you maneuver through the crowded stores to get exactly what you want.

There is a reason for that. The competition is fierce for your business. This is their make or break season, and stores are competing not only with each other, but with the internet. So they want to make sure once you're in the store, you don't leave until you've purchased something.
    
For the economy as a whole, the holiday outlook is positive. Purdue retail expert Richard Feinberg said retailers are very optimistic.  "They're hopeful and optimistic," he said. "They are going to have a good retail season during the holidays and to even make it better, they are hoping to increase sales per square foot.  It turns out the number one reason consumers leave a store with no product is because they can't find it."

For people needing some extra cash, it's good as well.

But while hiring more help bodes well for the economy, there are other factors in to play that could change the outlook, according to Feinberg. "Consumer confidence is very fragile," he explained. "Something happens in the economy, something happens in the election, we can go from a high level to a low level. And that determines how much they spend.  And gas prices - retail spending is very sensitive to gas prices.  Every penny increase in gas is a tax on consumers that they can't spend."

More people to hire for positions like cashiers, and stock room workers means more jobs and more money to spend for the holidays.

And if you're willing to work through the holidays from mid-October to the end of the holiday season, you could make some extra cash, and maybe even land a permanent job.

Target suggests listing the top three stores where you'd be interested in working. Check the store websites for applications, or stop in the store.  But again, don't wait, because most retailers are interviewing and hiring now.