Target Adds Hours Instead of Holiday Hires, Seasonal Jobs Decline

Retailers cut back sharply on seasonal hiring this holiday season, opting to give more hours to existing staff instead of bringing on large numbers of temporary workers. The National Retail Federation forecast a substantial decline in seasonal hiring, and several big chains including Target and another large retailer adjusted staffing plans accordingly. That shift reflects cautious employer approaches to payroll as overall labor markets have cooled and retailers balance steady sales with concerns about added temporary costs.

For Target employees, the staffing change has concrete effects. Some team members received added shifts and increased hours to cover shopping peaks and in store demands. While extra hours can mean higher pay for some workers, they also can bring unpredictable schedule changes, greater workload during already busy periods, and potential strain on employees juggling family or second jobs. Fewer seasonal openings also narrows opportunities for students, recent job seekers, and others who rely on holiday temporary work for supplemental income or entry level experience.

Retail managers face tradeoffs when they shift to expanding hours for permanent staff. Using existing employees reduces the administrative and training burden of onboarding many short term hires, and it preserves expertise on the sales floor during peak weeks. At the same time, concentrating demand on a core workforce can exacerbate fatigue and test retention if staff feel overworked. Store level scheduling will determine whether added hours become voluntary overtime or de facto expected availability.

The hiring pullback comes as inflationary pressures have pushed prices up, supporting sales gains even amid slower hiring. Retailers told managers they would be cautious about adding temporary payroll this season, a posture that mirrors broader labor market softening. For workers seeking seasonal roles, the market is tighter than in recent years, and applicants may find fewer openings and stiffer competition.

As employers evaluate their post holiday staffing, the choices made this season could influence long term scheduling practices and expectations for permanent employees. For Target team members, the immediate impact is clearer schedules and pay for some, and reduced seasonal hiring pathways for others. Managers and corporate leaders will need to weigh operational efficiency against employee workload and engagement as they prepare for the year ahead.