Target Corp. (NYSE: TGT) has announced plans to hire more than 130,000 seasonal workers for the holiday shopping season to work in its stores and distribution centers. According to the retailer, about 125,000 jobs will be positioned in stores and about 8,000 at distribution and fulfillment centers. It plans to double the number of workers fulfilling online orders.
Target said it will host two hiring events, Oct. 11 to Oct. 13, and Nov. 2 to Nov. 3, in all of its stores to find the workers. The events will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day for the seasonal positions. Candidates for the positions can be interviewed on the spot and receive a conditional job offer or apply in advance of the hiring event at TargetSeasonalJobs.com, which can also be used to find what jobs are available.
Target is offering some attractive benefits to entice workers to apply, including increased hourly wages, benefits, and discounts. The company will pay all workers a minimum starting wage of $13 per hour and seasonal team members will have an opportunity to earn holiday pay on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Target will also offer flexible schedule options, including weekend-only availability at some stores.
Target said it also will give seasonal workers a 10 percent discount on their purchases and an additional 2 percent discount on “wellness” merchandise, like healthy foods and workout gear. Seasonal workers will also have the chance to win a $250 Target gift card and the chance to pick where Target donates another $250 towards charity through its employee appreciation program. Target has set aside $2 million for the program.
The Minneapolis-based retailer, one of the largest employers in the U.S., is increasing the number of workers it plans to hire this year from its goal of 120,000 workers in 2018. It hired 100,000 seasonal store workers in 2017, up from 70,000 the year before. More than 40 percent of its seasonal hires continue working at Target after the holidays, the company said.
