Holidays bring race for jobs
Melissa Oribhabor
Issue date: 11/16/09 Section: News
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Unlike in years past, most retail stores are not clamoring at the same rate for seasonal help.
To make matters worse, the demand for lower-level retail jobs increases as the unemployment rate goes up.
"Anybody can come in to look for a job," said key-holder Serena McPherson, who works for MaxRave, a BCBG-owned store at the Independence Center Mall. "A lot more older people [apply]. The unemployment rate is so high, people come in to apply so they can [continue to receive] unemployment - they need proof they're looking for a job."
On average, retail stores have seen a drastic increase in the number of holiday applicants and, because of this, store managers find themselves in a position where they can be pickier about forming a staff.
The store manager for Petland in Independence Center admits he is under pressure to keep costs down when hiring. Therefore, standards set for those he does hire have gone up.
"You can't be OK or mediocre, you have to be on spot," he said.
As a former store manager for Hugo Boss in Florida, he said the standards for hiring are higher now at Petland than they were at the high-end retail store just a year ago.
Petland receives more than 50 applications a week, so management can have their pick of the litter, so to speak
But it's not just the competition for the open holiday spots that is tough, some stores simply cannot afford to hire more people.
"If we made more money, we'd be able to hire more people," said the co-manager of Journey's Kids.
With a decrease in revenue, the company can only afford to give management so many hours to schedule employees.
Also, more people are holding on to the jobs they have due to the uncertain job market. So the turnover rate is lower this season compared to seasons past.
To make matters worse, people are applying for these jobs earlier in the year instead of the typical time-period, right before Thanksgiving.
But it's not all doom and gloom. As it turns out, there are still some businesses that are not only hiring, but are also not feeling the effects of the economic downturn as harshly as some other retailers.
Kirk Fuehring, retail manager of Eye Masters in Independence, assures job seekers that not all hope is lost.
"I haven't seen much difference [in business]," he said standing next to a "We're Hiring" sign. "Glasses are something people need."
It seems retail stores offering essential products have managed to come out not as badly bruised and can afford to hire a larger staff this holiday season.
In addition to "need-based" retail, discount stores, like Goodwill, have seen a jump in profits since customers have been tighter with their pocket books.
The holiday season for 2009 is looking to be a rat race in the job market, but there are still options. Unfortunately, they may not all be as easy to get or as glamorous as most high school and college-aged kids would hope.
"We can be pickier since we have more options," McPherson cautioned potential job seekers.
Nonetheless, the jobs are out there this season at most big retail stores in Kansas City and surrounding areas.
So, let the races begin.
moribhabor@unews.com
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