While consumers are still in the throes of summer, Kohl’s Corp. is already gearing up for holiday hiring, thanks partially to its omnichannel capabilities.
Kohl’s, No. 24 in the Internet Retailer 2019 Top 500, started the process of seasonal hiring in 500 of its stores, almost double the number of stores it started early hiring for during last year’s holiday season. Beginning in August, the retailer will be hiring an undisclosed number of employees for all 1,175 of its stores as well as its distribution and ecommerce fulfillment centers.
In 2018, Kohl’s had 90,000 openings available to fill the needs the holiday season creates. Historically, the number of holiday openings has increased from previous years, with last year’s seasonal hiring showing a 30.4% increase in available positions from 2016 (Kohl’s did not provide 2017 hiring data). While the retailer won’t share an exact hiring number for seasonal employees, Kohl’s will be hiring approximately 3,000 associates across all stores this year to help with omnichannel and customer service functions.
Later into the holiday hiring season, Kohl’s will be staffing its 130-store “omni power center pilot,” with up to 50 seasonal positions available per store. These omni power centers allow Kohl’s to more effectively handle digital orders including buy online, pick up in store, ship from store, and buy online, ship to store services, with associates operating the localized ecommerce fulfillment to better meet demand. Hiring for these positions is slated for October.
In Kohls’ first quarter earnings call, the retail chain reported “high single-digit” online sales growth for the first quarter, with mobile ordering representing more than half of this. Investment into a sixth ecommerce fulfillment center—projected to open in 2020—will result in even more job openings.
“Our full-time, part-time, and seasonal Kohl’s associates bring to life the omnichannel shopping experience that sets Kohl’s apart, and we look forward to welcoming our new associates,” Marc Chini, Kohl’s senior executive vice president, chief people officer, said in a press release.
Kohl’s ranked No. 7 in Internet Retailer’s 2019 Omnichannel Report and offers features such as wayfinding and in-store lockers for BOPIS orders.
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