Preparing for a rush of holiday shoppers, area retailers are looking to hire.
Most merchants said they will be adding just enough workers - mostly part time - to help work cash registers, stock shelves and wrap and deliver packages.
National employment consultant company Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc. of Chicago is forecasting that holiday hiring will be down this year from last.
"Retailers are expected to add the bare minimum of extra staffing for the 2007 holiday season as a slumping housing market, costly toy recalls and the increased probability of recession threaten to dampen sales," the company said in a statement.
Merchants who usually hire holiday help in October may wait a month or more to better gauge how holiday sales will affect their work force, according to the consulting company.
Last year, retailers hired nearly 600,000 workers to help during the holiday shopping season, down about 5.25 percent from 2005, according to the National Retail Federation, a retail industry association.
The NRF hasn't released hiring predictions for this holiday season.
Employers outlook
Brighton Collectibles
Jordan Creek Town Center
West Des Moines
Manager Sandy Waddill is looking to add 10 workers for the holiday season. "We expect business to be better this Christmas and we'd like to be prepared," said Waddill.
Brighton, a national chain, uses a three-step hiring process including a telephone interview, in-person interview and a general knowledge test - all of which take time, she said. "We always try to start hiring early," she said.
Victoria's Secret
Southridge Mall
Des Moines
The women's lingerie store will double its employment this holiday season to 30 workers, mall officials reported.
Games and More
Valley West Mall
West Des Moines
Owner Corinne Harrison said she will more than double her staff for the holidays.
"Keeping the shelves stocked is the biggest challenge," said Harrison, who expects her holiday sales to grow by 50 percent this year.
She plans to keep many of her holiday helpers on through January, when shoppers flock to the store to cash in their gift cards, she said.
J.C. Penney
Southridge Mall
Des Moines
Manager Kipp Melin said he will hire about 20 workers for the holidays, the same number as last year.
Generally students, retirees and stay-at-home parents will apply for the temporary jobs, he said.
Workers get a discount on store merchandise, which is appealing to applicants, he said.
Mainstream Boutique
Valley Junction
West Des Moines
Owner Cindy Lane won't hire extra workers for the holidays, despite expecting a stellar season for the women's clothing and accessories business. She plans to give extra hours to the 12 part-time employees she has instead of hiring and training new workers.
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