Area Retailers Say They're Hiring More Seasonal Employees Than Last Year

ROCKFORD - National retailers are announcing that they are "now hiring" for the busy holiday season, and the hiring craze is no different here in the Stateline.  Big-box stores have hundreds of jobs available for the winter season; move over Halloween, the holiday shopping season is fast approaching.

Target in Rockford started interviewing applicants for several positions last week and they're still hiring.

"We're looking for cashiers, sales floor positions and then also logistics which is stocking our floor," said Sara McGrail, human resources director at Target's State Street location.

Just across State Street clothing retailer, Old Navy says they start to hire next week, but they're already spreading the word.

"We currently have flyers that we're hanging out to all customers that are making a purchase, kind of like a bag-stuffer to get the word out that we will be hiring for the holiday season," said Carlos Stillwell, manager at Old Navy.

Both retailers say they offer competitive pay and the benefit of getting the employee discount at their respective stores.

Stillwell says his store is hiring more people than they did last year for the holiday season.  Despite Target's corporate office saying on a whole they'll be hiring less than they did last year, the store in Rockford says they'll actually be hiring the same or more than last year.  But both employers say they have a hard time filling those shelf-stocking positions.

"Early shifts in the morning have been our toughest position to fill," said Stillwell.

"The only area that we're struggling with is our overnight positions," said McGrail.

Some economists are claiming that people are waiting for a better job, that this could be a sign of a better economy.  McGrail says she thinks this is business as usual.

"Our applicant flow has been just about the same as last year so I don't feel like that their mentality has changed," said McGrail.

All the potential gifts bought at these retailers also have shipping companies getting ready for the holiday gift shipping season.  Both UPS and FedEx say they're starting to hire for their season positions at both their Rockford facilities.