Business booms for certain industries this time of year. To meet the demand, many employers bring on seasonal employees.
Data from the Washington Employment Security Department showed Clark County employers hired hundreds of seasonal workers between October and December of last year.
Retailers hired about 450 seasonal workers; transportation and warehouse companies hired about 60; wholesale trade companies hired about 80; and accommodation and food service businesses hired about 180.
“The holiday season for me personally really means taking care of our customers on a different level,” said Chelsea Cubero, human resources director at Fred Meyer.
Fred Meyer’s parent company, Kroger, plans to hire about 25,000 associate positions this season nationwide, Cubero said.
Delivery giant UPS aims to hire about 125,000 seasonal workers nationwide this season. Target is adding about 100,000 seasonal employees, while Amazon expects to bring on 250,000 seasonal workers.
Grocery stores, including New Seasons Market, also hired more staff this year to meet increased foot traffic.
Many of these businesses start hiring seasonal employees in the fall. Fred Meyer, however, is still adding to its ranks.
The company wants the associates, as well as customers, to have a good experience, Cubero said.
“The role I hold within HR is to find that great balance so that our associates have a great experience through the holidays, as well as our customers getting everything they need,” she said.
Retailers see, on average, about 19 percent of their total sales in November and December, according to the National Retail Federation.
Fred Meyer positions itself as a one-stop shopping experience, with more shoppers coming in not only for clothes, gifts and food, but also for the pharmacy.
“This is a really busy time of year for them,” Cubero said. The holiday season motivates people to get up to date on vaccinations.
Small retailers don’t always hire extra staff. Ronald Records in downtown Vancouver, for instance, isn’t hiring any seasonal workers. But longtime downtown retailer Not Too Shabby Boutique is bringing on three additional employees for the season, on top of regular four employees, to help on busy days like Small Business Saturday (observed the day after Black Friday).
Regardless of whether small retailers bring on seasonal staff, the end of the year is busy.
“I tell everybody, ‘November and December, I’m not going anywhere,’” said Reshell Douglas, owner of Not Too Shabby. “I am all focused on my business.”
