Jamie Kruggel stocks Halloween costumes at Meijer on Indiana 331. Meijer announced last week it would hire about 6,600 people for the holiday season for its stores in Indiana and Michigan. (SBT Photo/SANTIAGO FLORES)
By the numbers
These national job statistics show the number of holiday jobs added each holiday season and the job growth -- or loss -- compared to the previous year.
2006: 746,900, 5 percent increase
2007: 720,900, 3.5 percent decrease
2008: 324,900, 54.9 percent decrease
2009: 495,800, 52.6 percent increase
2010: 647,600, 30.6 percent increase
2011: 679,300, 4.9 percent increase
2012: 723,700, 6.5 percent increase
2013: 786,200, 8.6 percent increase
Source: Challenger, Gray & Christmas, with data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Students just returned to school in Michigan. Lingering summer-like temperatures are luring people to the beaches one more time and fueling the debate about whether to take Halloween decorations out of storage.
It feels too soon.
But there's an undeniable sign that September is here: Retailers are already looking for seasonal workers to unload trucks, stock shelves and man registers.
Meijer made one of the first announcements last week about its plan to hire more than 10,000 employees companywide, or about 6,600 people in Indiana and Michigan for its anticipated fall and holiday sales season. It breaks down to 45 to 55 associates per store.
Ideally, new employees will start work as soon as they're hired so they have time to become acquainted and comfortable with Meijer and its merchandise.
"For people who want a job, the selection for the best positions is right now. I'd encourage them to go through the interview process soon, even if starting work in mid-October fits better into their lives," says Rick Zeeff, store director at the Bremen Highway Meijer in Mishawaka. His typical seasonal employee works about 24 hours per week.
Other area retailers are hiring, too.
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