Walmart and Target Prep for E-Commerce Surge with Holiday Hiring
When the CDC names “shopping in crowded stores just before, on, or after Thanksgiving” a high-risk activity, you can bet this holiday season is going to be different than normal.
Retail giants Walmart and Target have already both announced their holiday hiring sprees this year, as both seek to bolster staff for a predicted e-commerce surge and shifting shopper habits amid a pandemic.
Target said it will double the number of store associates devoted to its buy-online-pickup-in-store (BOPIS) Drive Up and Order Pickup services this year, as well as train additional associates to help during peak shopping periods.
Walmart said in order to prepare for an expected increase in online shopping this holiday season, it will hire more than 20,000 seasonal associates in its e-commerce fulfillment centers.
“The holidays are always a special time, and this year, we think the season will mean even more to our customers,” said Greg Smith, executive VP for supply chain for Walmart U.S. “As more of them turn to online shopping, we want to ensure we’re staffed and ready to help deliver that special gift to their loved ones while continuing to fulfill our customer’s everyday needs.”
"The success of our business strategy rests on the strength of our team and their ability to adjust quickly to the needs of our guests and their changing shopping patterns," said Melissa Kremer, Target's chief human resources officer. "Throughout the year, the team has successfully balanced strong demand in our stores with surging digital volume. Knowing that the holiday season will be unlike any other, we're building in even more flexibility to make sure Target remains a safe and convenient place to work and shop, while investing in our team's industry-leading pay and benefits."
