Stores hiring less seasonal workers despite record sales

Holiday hiring has slowed to a stop and its frustrating job seekers. In the past,  there was always extra work during the holidays.

Not this year. It seems stores will be hiring 150,000 less this year. This decline in hiring is frustrating workers hoping for some extra money for the holidays.

Holiday sales are booming but stores are not hiring more employees. In fact, Black Friday sales rose more than 4% from last year, and Cyber Monday sales were up 7% from 2024, according to Adobe Analytics.

But a significant part of those sales increases are being driven by higher prices, not more shoppers.

For example, Salesforce found that Black Friday prices surged 7%, but shopping volume fell 1% – leading to a 4% gain in sales.

So shoppers are paying more while buying less – requiring fewer employees to help customers.

Read more about the economy and the holidays here.