Holiday retail sales are expected to be up only slightly this year, but the news may be better for those looking to work in retailing around Christmas.
Increased online sales, more temporary stores and guarded optimism about the season are leading some retailers to expand their workforces more than usual for the holidays.
The National Retail Federation predicts holiday sales will be up just 2.3 percent this year. John Challenger, CEO of consulting firm Challenger Gray & Christmas, says recent sales increases will lead retailers to step up hiring, but he predicts it will fall short of pre-recession levels. Holiday hiring hit a 22-year low in 2008 and increased by 54 percent last year.
