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Weekly Newsletter Vol. 117 - November 26, 2025

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Black Friday Hiring, Holiday Staffing Trends & What This Means for the 2026 Workforce

Black Friday isn’t just the unofficial start of holiday shopping — it’s the kickoff to one of the most dynamic hiring periods of the year. Companies nationwide are ramping up seasonal recruitment, and while consumer behaviour is shifting, demand for talent hasn’t slowed down. In fact, hiring patterns emerging this holiday season provide a clear preview of what the workforce will look like heading into 2026.

Let’s break down who’s hiring, why, and how this will reshape the labor market long-term.

Who’s Hiring for the 2025 Holiday Season?

Despite economic uncertainty, holiday hiring remains strong across several industries. The companies fuelling seasonal recruitment fall into a few clear categories:

1. Retail Giants (Physical & Online)

Stores need people on the floor, at the register, in stockrooms, and across customer service roles. Major players include:

• Big box retailers (Walmart, Target, Costco)

• Department stores (Macy’s, Nordstrom)

• Discount chains (TJX, Ross)

• E-commerce brands expanding pop-up locations Roles: Sales associates, stockers, merchandisers, customer service.

2. E-Commerce & Last-Mile Delivery

Online orders spike between Black Friday and New Year’s, creating massive demand for:

• Warehouse workers

• Pickers & packers

• Delivery drivers

• Fulfillment center support Think Amazon, UPS, FedEx, DHL — they typically hire tens of thousands.

3. Hospitality & Food Services

With holiday travel and celebrations comes increased staffing needs:

• Hotels & resorts

• Airports & airlines

• Restaurants, catering companies, and event venues Roles: Servers, bartenders, housekeepers, cooks, event staff, front desk teams.

4. Customer Support & Call Centers

As online shopping increases, so does the need for customer resolution teams. Many companies hire temporary remote agents for:

• Chat support

• Order resolution

• Returns & refund assistance

5. Seasonal Entertainment & Travel

Think:

• Theme parks

• Ski resorts

• Holiday markets & attractions Roles: Event staff, operations, security, guest experience.

Why Holiday Hiring Matters More Than Black Friday Itself

Seasonal hiring isn’t just about filling temporary gaps — it’s a predictor of broader economic health and employer strategy. Here’s what this year’s hiring wave signals for 2026.

1. Workforce Flexibility Is Becoming the New Normal

Companies are relying more heavily on:

• Contingent workers

• Gig labor

• Short-term contracts

The holiday season has become a yearly stress test for flexible staffing models. Expect more businesses in 2026 to build hybrid workforces that scale up and down quickly.

2. Automation Is Reducing—but Not Replacing—Seasonal Roles

Retailers and logistics companies are doubling down on:

• Automated picking

• AI-driven scheduling

• Smart inventory management

• Self-checkout devices

But instead of eliminating jobs, these technologies are changing them. In 2026, workers will need:

• Higher technical aptitude

• Comfort with AI-enabled tools

• Stronger customer-facing skills that automation can't replicate

3. Seasonal Workers Are Becoming a Key Talent Pipeline

A major shift: employers are converting more holiday workers into full-time roles.

Why? Because seasonal hiring offers:

• Quick access to pre-trained talent

• Lower early-stage recruiting costs

• A way to test culture fit

Expect companies in 2026 to use seasonal roles as auditions for permanent employment at scale.

4. Wage Pressures Will Carry Into 2026

The holiday hiring crunch inflates wages—especially in:

• Retail

• Warehousing

• Logistics

• Hospitality

These increases tend to stick. Companies competing for talent this year are setting higher baselines heading into 2026, affecting labor budgets across the economy.

5. Remote & Hybrid Holiday Roles Are Here to Stay

Companies hiring seasonal remote workers for customer service, operations, scheduling, and support roles have discovered:

• Higher applicant pools

• Lower training costs

• Faster onboarding

Expect 2026 to see a significant rise in seasonal remote opportunities, especially in customer support and operations.

What This Means for Job Seekers Going Into 2026

The trends emerging this holiday season show a labor market that is:

• More flexible

• More tech-enabled

• More competitive

• More reliant on part-time and seasonal pipelines

• Increasingly valuing soft skills and customer experience

Candidates who can adapt quickly, work cross-functionally, and leverage digital tools will have a clear advantage.

What This Means for Recruiters & Hiring Teams

Recruiters should expect 2026 hiring strategies to include:

• Increased use of AI sourcing tools

• Faster time-to-hire expectations

• Greater reliance on contractor and gig models

• Demand for workforce planning that accounts for economic variability

• Stronger employer branding for frontline roles

Holiday-season performance is often the dry run for next year’s hiring capacity — and this season’s trends point toward continued labor shortages and rising demand for skilled, flexible workers.

Final Thoughts

Black Friday may be a one-day event, but the hiring trends surrounding it shape the labor market for the entire year ahead. From retail to logistics to remote support roles, employers are signaling where the workforce is headed: agile, technology-driven, and talent-hungry.

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_{(*Disclaimer: these are real experiences provided by RME's community of job seekers and hiring managers)}

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