Seasonal hiring offers little reprieve for labor market woes

Group 1 - The holiday shopping season is expected to see significant consumer spending, but seasonal hiring plans are at their lowest levels in over a decade [1][2][3] - The National Retail Federation forecasts that retailers will hire between 265,000 to 365,000 seasonal workers, a decrease from 442,000 in 2024, indicating a significant reduction in hiring [3] - Interest in seasonal work has increased by 27% year-over-year, reflecting a competitive job market despite fewer available positions [3][4] Group 2 - Job listings have only increased by 2.7% compared to the previous year, remaining below pre-pandemic levels, indicating a tight labor market [4] - Recent federal jobs data showed an unexpected addition of 119,000 positions in September, primarily in healthcare and food services, while the retail sector remained flat [5] - Walmart plans to utilize existing associates for holiday hours rather than significantly increasing seasonal hiring, indicating a shift in strategy [7]