In anticipation of the holidays, retailers are beginning their holiday hiring process with a large minority hiring fewer workers this year, compared to last year, says Aon Consulting, the global human capital consulting organization of Aon Corporation.

Aon Consulting surveyed more than 100 of the nation’s leading retailers and found that 44 percent are hiring fewer holiday workers this year than they did last year, while 37 percent are hiring the same amount of workers as they did during the 2008 holiday season. Conversely, 19 percent plan to hire more workers for the holidays this year compared to last year.

“While the economy is showing some signs of recovery, key indicators, such as the unemployment rate, give retailers good reason to proceed with caution,” said Bob Lopes, executive vice president with Aon Consulting. “That said, there are a number of jobs available for those who can demonstrate the right skills and are willing to work the hours needed.”

The most important qualities retailers are looking for in candidates this holiday season include customer service skills (83 percent), a positive attitude (60 percent) and availability (55 percent). Meanwhile, retailers say the best candidates come from employee referrals (70 percent), followed by walk-ins (57 percent).

This Aon Consulting survey also revealed that 77 percent of retailers are hiring a greater percentage of part time employees this holiday season compared to last. In addition, 43 percent of retailers are planning to convert the same number of part time seasonal employees to full time status after the holidays as they did last year, while 42 percent say they will move fewer part time seasonal workers to full time status after the 2009 holiday season.

“According to our survey results, there are a number of qualified candidates who will not find a retail job during this holiday season,” said Lopes. “Those individuals should also consider the travel, hospitality and food service industries. While these industries don’t receive the same type of attention as retail during the holiday season, they typically increase their hiring this time of year.”

About the Study

Aon Consulting’s 2009 Retail Holiday Hiring Survey is based on responses from 104 participants representing leading retailers nationwide. Survey results show current expectations around the common retail workforce challenges facing the industry during the upcoming holiday hiring season, and will assist retailers in benchmarking hiring efforts. Aon Consulting advises the retail industry on the many facets of risk management, human capital management, workforce planning, acquisition and development.

Source: Aon Corporation

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