National data suggests it is not a job seeker’s market this holiday season, with layoffs and job freezes on the rise across the economy.
Retail is not immune, with holiday-season hiring expected to fall far short of 2024 despite National Retail Federation projections of retail sales growth of between 3.7% and 4.2% over 2024.
Tariffs and declining consumer confidence, along with a stagnant Rhode Island economy, are contributing to the broad decline in hiring.
But as this week’s cover story reports, some local retailers are still struggling to find willing workers.
Asher Schofield, co-owner of Providence’s Frog & Toad LLC, has seen no shortage of applicants. Many, however, are only interested in part-time work that fits their personal schedules.
“Most … only wanted shifts capped at three days a week,” he said. “Folks usually want full time, but that definitely wasn’t the case this year. It’s a bit strange.”
Meanwhile, Queen of Hearts LLC owner Karen Beebe says she gave up on trying to hire just one person for her Providence shop after several fruitless weeks.
So, what gives?
Ramesh Mohan, a professor of economic analytics at Bryant University, says fewer available jobs hasn’t made it easier to hire for many shops because many people are still choosing unemployment over retail. It creates a hiring crunch that will continue to challenge retailers, he said, until they adapt, “through higher wages, more flexible scheduling or greater use of automation.”