Dive Brief:

• In preparation for a hectic holiday shopping season, Target announced it wants to hire 100,000 seasonal workers, down from the 130,000 workers it planned to hire in 2020 and 2019.  
• The retailer also said it is giving team members more hours and the option to work sporadically, which means taking occasional shifts that fit their schedules, according to a press release Thursday. Target is also offering existing store workers an additional 5 million hours — that's equivalent to over $75 million in wages.  
• Target has a $15 minimum wage for all team members, per the release. Seasonal workers also have the option to continue working for Target after the holidays.

Dive Insight:

Amid a competitive labor market, Target is looking to staff up as it inches closer to one of the busiest times of the year for retailers.

Like many industry leaders, Target has ramped up its incentives to workers in recent months in an attempt to win more applications from potential workers and maintain its current ones. The company touted its enhanced starting wage as well as tuition assistance program and the bonuses it has given workers in the last 18 months.

"We've worked to provide our team members with more consistent schedules, which means more consistent paychecks and a more consistent way to manage their life," Melissa Kremer, chief human resources officer at Target, said in a statement. "Additionally, we're offering more hours to team members who want them and continuing our important investment in training and development."

Kremer added that Target's investments in its workforce help bring down turnover rates and allow team members to establish their careers in the company.

However, Target is facing stiff competition. Job openings in the retail industry reached 1.2 million in July, with roughly 906,000 hires, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Walmart said earlier this month it wants to hire 20,000 full-time and part-time supply chain workers, with an average $20.37 per hour wage. Amazon is working to hire 125,000 fulfillment and transportation employees with hourly wages ranging from $18 to $22.50 in some places. Kohl's wants to hire 90,000 seasonal associates, which are eligible to receive a $100 to $400 bonus if they work with the company during the holidays.