Kohl’s has started hiring seasonal employees at 500 stores, nearly double the number of locations that did early hiring in 2018. The retailer also is hiring associates to support omnichannel and customer service functions at all stores, and will begin holiday hiring at its remaining brick-and-mortar locations, and all distribution and e-Commerce fulfillment centers, in August.
The new associates are being brought on in time for the back-to-school season, and will remain with the company through the holidays. Kohl’s plans to train its new hires in using handheld mobile devices that can help customers browse and buy from Kohls.com or check out anywhere in store, as well as tools designed to locate and process online and pickup orders.
Kohl’s also is planning an expanded “omni power center” pilot that will require hiring additional seasonal employees at 130 stores in October. Omni power centers employees support other associates by using specialized devices to handle in-store e-Commerce fulfillment.
Advertisement
“Our early seasonal hiring strategy positions Kohl’s for success during the back half of the year and ensures our store teams are fully staffed and trained to meet the needs of our customers during the holiday season,” said Marc Chini, Senior EVP and Chief People Officer at Kohl’s in a statement. “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 whether they’re looking to earn additional money for holiday gifts or seeking to start their careers in retail.”
Getting a head start on hiring could pay off for Kohl’s: the unemployment rate remained at 3.7% in June, according to the Department of Labor. This level, which is near 50-year lows, could challenge retailers looking for skilled associates, according to CNBC.
