Question of the Week: Are You Hiring More Staffers This Holiday Season?

Some good news was reported last week: Retailers plan to hire more seasonal staffers than last year in expectation of an increase in holiday sales, according to merchants and two reports out this month from consulting groups.

While few retailers have announced specific holiday hiring plans, 36 percent plan to hire more seasonal employees than in 2011, according to a survey of 14 major U.S. retailers by consulting firm Hay Group. Fifty-seven percent will hire about the same as last year.

Wal-Mart, Toys"R"Us and Kohl's are all hiring more holiday workers than last year. The overall increase in hiring is most likely due to a predicted increase in sales, says Maryam Morse, senior principal and retail practice leader at Hay Group. The Hay survey found that 75 percent of retailers are forecasting an increase in holiday sales versus 2011.

Do you plan to hire more staffers this holiday season than you did during the same time last year? Are you expecting a better holiday season than last year? Let us know your thoughts by going to Retail Online Integration's Facebook page to comment. We'd love to get a conversation going on this topic. Thanks!