In September, we asked our readers how they plan to handle the extra workload during the holiday season and of those who are affected by seasonal upswings, 30% said they will manage with their current staff, but offer overtime/incentives. Another 10% plan to hire temporary workers through a staffing company like Express Employment Professionals, 3% will outsource projects, and 2.7% say they will hire additional full-time employees.
The Holiday Shopping Season is Approaching
While the holidays don’t affect every business, one sector that is always significantly affected is retail.
The Hay Group, a global management consulting firm, recently released their findings from their survey of retailers on expectations for the 2014 holiday season.
According to the results, 24% of retailers predict a significant increase in year-over-year sales during the holiday shopping season, and 70% plan to hire workers at the same levels they did in 2013 to accommodate the increased business volume.
The Hay Group’s vice president and global practice leader, Craig Rawley, noted that while the initial indicators suggest a strong 2014 holiday season, companies are remaining cautious:
“Retailers have their fingers crossed for a strong 2014 holiday season. In the meantime, however, they’re acting prudently. Though we’ve seen GDP jump by more than 4% in the second quarter, the same economic bump hasn’t yet translated to the retail sector. Foot traffic remains slow, and back-to-school shopping had a slow start this year, so retailers are being careful in their holiday season planning.”
Check out the full Hay Group report here.
More Companies Embracing Omni-channel Marketing Strategies
One interesting trend that emerged from the Hay Group study is an increased focus on omni-channel marketing strategies by retailers.
Omni-channel marketing strategies integrate the consumer experience across a wide-variety of channels, like mobile platforms, computers, direct mail, brick-and mortar outlets, and email. The idea is to ensure buyers have seamless interaction with a brand no matter where they are or what kind of device they are using. Anymore, such strategies are critical to staying relevant in consumers’ minds.
According to the results, 47% of retailers have put omni-channel strategies in place for 2014, compared to only 14% in 2013. Mobile marketing initiatives, for example, will be a major component of such strategies, with 71% of retailers saying they will use mobile platforms to drive holiday sales.
How have you adjusted your marketing strategies for the 2014 holiday shopping season? How will it affect your seasonal hiring? Let us know in the comments section below.
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