Nearly 1 in 5 Retailers Plan to Increase 2012 Staff
Coming off the heels of a strong holiday shopping season, U.S. retailers remain cautiously optimistic in their hiring outlook for 2012. Nearly one in five retailers plan to increase their number of full-time, permanent and part-time headcount this year.
Coming off the heels of a strong holiday shopping season, U.S. retailers remain cautiously optimistic in their hiring outlook for 2012. Nearly one in five retailers plan to increase their number of full-time, permanent and part-time headcount this year. This is according to a new survey from WorkInRetail.com CareerBuilder’s job site for retail professionals.
The survey, which was conducted by Harris Interactive from November 9 to December 5, 2011, included more than 247 retail hiring managers and human resource professionals nationwide. “Retailers are waiting to see if a solid holiday season equates to improved consumer confidence throughout 2012,” said Bill Meidell, director of WorkInRetail.com. “If the economy continues its upward climb, increased demand will naturally bode well for retail workers looking for new opportunities.”
Eighteen percent of retail companies will increase their number of full-time, permanent employees in 2012, which is on par with 2011. Most employers (66 percent) anticipate no change, and only seven percent plan to decrease its number of full-time, permanent workers.
Nineteen percent of retailers plan to increase the number of part-time workers this year, down slightly from 22 percent for 2011. One in four (26 percent) retailers will also be using temporary and contract workers this year. Of these companies, 38 percent plan to hire contract or temporary workers on a permanent basis.
Training Workers and Recruiting College Grads: More than half (53 percent) of retailers are willing to hire and train individuals with no experience in the industry, making retail work a prime opportunity for young workers or those making a career transition. Forty-three percent of retail employers will target recent college grads this year, compared to 37 percent for 2011. Despite the opportunities, retailers are more willing than other industries to replace sub-par workers. Fifty-six percent of retailers will replace low-performing workers in 2012.
Wage Growth: The majority of retail workers can expect salary and wage increases in 2012; some will see significant increases: 1-3 percent raise 45 percent; 4-6 percent raise 14 percent; Greater than 6 percent 4 percent; and No raise planned 36 percent.
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