Dive Brief:

• Retailers and shippers are holding their temporary holiday hiring in check this year, but will have difficulty filling those spots in some areas of the country with low unemployment, reports the Denver Post. That could make opening on Thanksgiving Day, a practice that spread last year, more difficult.

• In Colorado, with lower unemployment than the national average of 5.1%, companies are going to churches and schools to find people to take the temporary jobs, which need low-to medium-skilled workers. 

• Retail sales this season are expected to see modest growth, but a shift to more e-commerce sales means greater expectations for hiring needs in e-commerce sales support, fulfillment, and shipping.

Dive Insight:

The unemployment picture is tilting things in workers’ favor, as retailers and shippers find they need to sweeten the pot to get people to take seasonal jobs, at least in areas with low unemployment rates. In addition to better wages, retailers are making schedules more flexible, and some in Colorado are trying to attract workers with added perks like free bus passes and tuition assistance. 

That could help year-round retail workers in such areas as well, because many retailers say they’ll be offering those already trained workers the opportunity to take on more hours at the holidays.

Large retailers like Target are also working to smooth out their recruiting tools, allowing applicants to start the practice online.

One Denver-area mall has decided to stay closed on Thanksgiving, which recruiters told the Denver Post could help sway potential hires.