NCRMA Expects Increase In Sales And Seasonal Employment During The Upcoming Holiday Season

RALEIGH, NC, November 16, 2012 (Press-News.org) The North Carolina Retail Merchants Association (NCRMA) (http://www.ncrma.org/), a nonprofit trade association, has announced that it expects an increase in seasonal employment during the upcoming holiday season as well as an increase in sales and consumer participation, based on trends forecast by industry analysts.

According to reports from a seasonal hiring survey of more than 1,000 hourly hiring managers, 63 percent will make hires this year, the highest percentage in the five-year survey and up 12 percentage points from 2011. The survey was conducted by IPSOS Public Affairs for Snagajob, America's largest hourly employment network. The study reports that 49 percent of the seasonal workers hired are expected to be full-time hires. Hiring managers expect that 50 percent of their seasonal employees will be able to stay on after the holidays and take a permanent job.

NCRMA member companies who have provided hiring numbers specific to North Carolina include Belk, which expects to hire 1,095 seasonal employees statewide, and Macy's, whose spokesperson indicated their statewide number is approximately 700. Nationally, Macy's expects to hire 80,000.

Although not specific to North Carolina, the following member companies have released their seasonal hire projections:
- Kohl's plans to hire more than 52,700 holiday workers. The company expects to hire an average of 41 temporary employees for each of its 1,100 stores around the nation.
- Target expects to hire between 80,000 and 90,000 seasonal employees. The company has 46 stores in the state.
- Walmart says it will offer additional hours to current associates and hire more than 50,000 seasonal associates.

August and September of this year marked the best back-to-back retail sales showing in the United States since late 2010. The National Retail Federation is projecting 2012 holiday sales to rise 4.1 percent nationwide from 2011. If NRF's estimate is accurate, total holiday sales this year would total approximately $586.1 billion.

For some retailers, the holiday season can account for anywhere between 20-40 percent of annual sales. In 2011, holiday sales represented 19.5 percent of total retail industry sales.

Another expert resource, the Nielsen Company, a global leader in market research, measurement and information, has produced an analysis saying that sales in 89 categories across five key departments (food, beverages, alcohol, health/beauty and homecare) for November and December will reach an estimated $98.3 billion. The Nielsen Company credits higher consumer confidence levels and increased consumer intent to spend more to create an overall rise in 2012 holiday spending.

For more information on holiday season shopping and employment, visit http://www.ncrma.org/ or contact NCRMA at (919) 832-0811.

QUOTES:
"We anticipate a successful holiday season this year in North Carolina," said Andy Ellen, NCRMA's president and general counsel. "A projected increase in sales will create more retail jobs throughout the state during the holiday season. North Carolina's retail industry is the largest private employer in the state, employing one in four North Carolinians, and these additional jobs will be welcomed by those who are unemployed. We are optimistic that North Carolina's retail sector will provide a much needed boost to the economy with the anticipated hiring of seasonal employees to work during the holiday shopping season."

"With so much riding on the holiday season, I encourage North Carolina residents to get out and shop in their brick and mortar stores - these are folks who live in and support your communities, and who collect and pay sales tax to the state," said Ellen. "While it's convenient to shop online, supporting the retail shopping centers close to home is critically important to the overall economic well-being of our state. In fact, a recent mystery shopper study by STELLAService suggested that going to a physical store can save consumers money and time, as brick and mortar retailers are working harder than ever to provide value and competitive pricing."

ABOUT NCRMA:
The North Carolina Retail Merchants Association (NCRMA), a nonprofit trade association, was organized in 1902 to improve the business climate for retailers in North Carolina. Now, more than 100 years later, NCRMA is the voice of the retail industry in North Carolina. NCRMA represents the interests of individual merchants before the General Assembly and serves as a vital link to state government. Its credibility lies in its longevity and commitment to serving the ever-changing needs of its members. The Association's membership includes more than 25,000 stores from across the state whose businesses represent 75 percent of North Carolina's retail sales volume. NCRMA serves both large and small retailers from multi-state chains to local "Mom and Pops," and all types of merchants including antique, apparel, art, automotive, book, carpet, department, drug, electronics, floral, furniture, grocery, hardware, jewelry, paint and variety stores. For more information, visit http://www.ncrma.org/.

Jordan Smith
MMI Public Relations
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jordan@mmipublicrelations.com
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