Sarah McMillan/cvnznews.com
With Christmas now just over 10 weeks away, New Zealand retailers are already preparing for their busiest trading period of the year, and job seekers are being urged to get organised now rather than waiting until the festive rush begins.
Retail NZ Chief Executive Carolyn Young says many businesses will soon be recruiting extra staff to help manage increased customer demand.
“Many retailers will need additional staff over Christmas so now is the time for both businesses and potential employees to get ready,” Young says.
She says retailers who hire early are better positioned to train staff and ensure they are ready when Christmas shopping ramps up.
“Having the right people on board early gives retailers time to train their seasonal teams properly and puts stores in a much stronger position when Christmas shopping ramps up.”
For people looking for work, the message is clear: update your CV, print some copies, and start visiting retailers now. Waiting until December could mean missing opportunities as many stores prefer to have their Christmas teams in place well before the busiest weeks arrive.
Retail jobs can be an excellent opportunity for students, school leavers, university students returning home for summer, parents seeking extra income, or anyone looking to re-enter the workforce. In many cases, seasonal positions can also lead to ongoing employment if employers find reliable and capable staff.
Retailers are already planning rosters, calculating staffing needs and preparing for a series of major shopping events.
“It’s just over 10 weeks to Christmas, but we are already seeing trees being decorated and Christmas displays popping up. It won’t be long before the deals and discounts begin – everything from Halloween to Singles Day and Black Friday,” Young says.
The Christmas trading period remains critically important for many businesses.
“The December quarter is the time where most retailers do their biggest trade, with many relying on a successful festive season to be able to make it through the slower months of the year.”
If you’re looking for work, don’t just upload your CV online and hope for the best. Visit your local shopping centre, introduce yourself to managers, show initiative and follow up. Employers often remember applicants who make the effort to stand out from the crowd.
The Christmas hiring season has effectively already begun. For job seekers, the best time to start looking is not next month or next week.
It’s now.
