# Large Employers Shift From Seasonal to Part-Time Hiring Models Retailers are prioritizing permanent part-time staff over traditional seasonal waves this year. - **Source:** [HR Dive](https://www.hrdive.com) - **Published:** 2026-10-20 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/9271efae-b3da-443c-b97c-34be56c8dd5d ## Shift in Hiring Strategy Large employers are noticeably pivoting away from traditional seasonal hiring waves this year. Data indicates that seasonal job listings have dropped from 34% in 2025 to approximately 20% by late September 2026. Instead, companies are increasingly favoring part-time roles, which rose from 38% to 49% during the same period, signaling a strategic staffing adjustment. ## Predictable Trends Disrupted Seasonal hiring typically follows a predictable cycle starting in August and peaking between mid-September and mid-November. While this year saw an early surge in August, the momentum fluctuated before picking up again in late September. This early lead suggests that staffing demand might extend well beyond the standard holiday shopping season into 2027. ## Retailer Caution and Planning Major retailers are currently quieter regarding their 2026 headcount plans compared to previous years. Many organizations appear to be leaning on existing staff and on-demand labor pools rather than committing to large, publicized seasonal waves. This pattern suggests a more conservative approach to workforce expansion despite the ongoing need for operational support. ## E-commerce Dominates Seasonal Roles The composition of seasonal work is shifting significantly toward logistics and fulfillment. Retail positions now account for 61% of seasonal postings, down from two-thirds in 2019. Conversely, warehouse roles like loading and stocking have climbed to 9%, up from 3.5% in 2019, reflecting the broader industry transition toward e-commerce and centralized distribution centers. ## Emerging Demand for Photography Beyond traditional retail and warehouse roles, demand for photographers has entered the top five non-retail job listings. This specific growth likely reflects increased interest in event photography and professional family portraits during the holiday period. Such niche demand highlights how seasonal staffing needs are diversifying beyond the standard floor sales and fulfillment tasks. ## Optimism for Future Staffing Economists suggest that the move toward part-time hiring reflects optimism about future staffing needs. By prioritizing part-time roles over seasonal ones, employers may be preparing for demand that holds steady well into 2027. This transition implies that companies are looking to build more flexible, long-term capacity rather than temporary holiday-specific support teams. ## Competition for Quality Talent Organizations planning to hire for seasonal roles must initiate their search early to secure the best candidates. Despite a larger pool of applicants, companies face intense competition for high-quality talent. Success in this environment requires clear transparency regarding pay structures, scheduling flexibility, and potential pathways for career advancement within the organization. ## Strategic Implications for Employers The decline in seasonal-labeled postings indicates a fundamental change in how large retailers manage holiday spikes. By favoring part-time staff, firms gain greater agility and potentially higher employee retention. Employers must now balance these operational shifts with clear communication to ensure they remain attractive to workers in a competitive and evolving labor market. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.hrdive.com/news/large-employers-are-hiring-part-time-workers-over-seasonal-ones-indeed/833437/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._