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4 days agoAre we in a recession? Maybe professional Santas can tell us
Demand for professional Santas and other seasonal retail workers has cooled this holiday season, reflecting a broader decline in seasonal hiring.
Crowds aren't her favorite, but 80-year-old Dorene Luzzi of Redwood City wasn't letting that stop her Black Friday shopping plans. "It's been a nightmare," Luzzi said, gleeful as she showed off clothing deals she snagged for her family on Friday at Hillsdale Shopping Center in San Mateo. Despite talk of the death of American malls due to online shopping and the COVID-19 pandemic, the Peninsula center was full of life, with children climbing on the outdoor playground and every table in the food court packed.
The research shows that 41.85% of British respondents consider brand ads on reputable news or magazine websites credible or very credible, while only 14.11% view them as low in credibility.
Retailers have a narrow window to capture peak holiday demand and an even narrower margin for error. This year, that margin will be tested more than ever: Adobe expects U.S. consumers to spend $253.4 billion online between November 1 and December 31, with mobile driving the majority of visits and accounting for more than half of the spend. That surge creates opportunity - that is, if shoppers can actually complete a purchase.
Decked out in holiday decorations, the shop will feature a rotating mix of products across fashion, accessories, home, beauty and kids' products, with options to put a personalized touch on your purchases. We envisioned The Gift Shop at The Corner as a year-round destination for discovery and a place where gifting becomes immersive, expressive, and personal, said Olivia Kim, SVP of Creative at Nordstrom. Through curated brand collaborations and authentic storytelling, we're celebrating the joy of giving in all its forms.
Amazon.com Inc. ( NASDAQ: AMZN) is the second-largest employer in the United States, just behind Walmart Inc. ( NYSE: WMT). Since they are also the two largest retailers in the nation, their fortunes provide a good look into the American economy. Amazon is hiring 250,000 workers for the holidays. The decision says several things. First, the company believes the economy is very strong.
American Christmas LLC, which creates elaborate holiday installations for commercial properties such as New York's Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall, plans to hire 220 temporary workers and is ramping up recruitment nearly two months later than usual, CEO Dan Casterella said. Last year, the company took on 300 people during its busy period.
To do so, Modern Retail+ Research surveyed 68 brand and retailer professionals about their past and current use of sales channels during the holidays, their past and current holiday marketing tactics, as well as how their current holiday season discounts and holiday revenue expectations compare to last year's. We also interviewed executives at the Fwrd Group and NEOM Wellbeing to learn about their plans and expectations for the upcoming holiday sales season.