So, as we in Canada head into our Thanksgiving Weekend (Oct. 9, this year) the stores are starting to ramp up for the shopping orgy that is the Holiday Season.  Part time sales help required signs sit in every window in the local mall.  

I'm curious though:  are they going to find the workers they need?  High school students are good fodder, but they do have to attend classes during the day.  The mommies I know that would perhaps be eligible have a pretty tight timeline.  They can only work from 9:30 to around 2:30.  That's the reality of taking kids to school and having to pick them up.  Paying for childcare to work at the mall?  A zero sum game; and you have to pay tax on that income. Not feasible.

But still, instead of piecing together a day out of a few people's availability, applicants are still getting the 'I'm sorry, we need you from x to y, no exceptions.'  Perhaps costs associated with having more people on the roster are prohibitive, and yes; it's still early.  I only know one person who's actually started their shopping (other than the ones that do it all in the new year during the sales).  Actually, the many people in my neighbourhood that celebrate the Orthodox calendar's Christmas on January 6th love those super sales!

Where are you looking for your retail help?  Are you?  Is the retail sector still doing ok?  Comment on this, or anything you read on HR.com!  

-Ed.