Billings retailers are already feeling the pressure of the holiday rush. At a Walmart in the Billings Heights area, employees have been moving pallets and stocking shelves this week to prepare for the influx of shoppers.
Local businesses add staff
Smaller shops are feeling the pinch, too. Elise Borman, sales lead at the Joy of Living boutique, started at the store in August and now faces her first holiday surge. “It’s just more people coming in and making bigger purchases,” Borman said. She explained that having two or three extra team members on the floor helps keep registers moving and prevents bottlenecks at the gift‑wrapping station.
The boutique is actively looking for a handful of part‑time employees to cover its busiest days, hoping to keep customers served quickly and shelves stocked.
Warehouse and delivery demand
Beyond the storefronts, warehouses and delivery firms are also hunting for help. Mark Hardin, a business developer with Express Employment in Billings, said most employers are looking for candidates who have a driver’s license and a willingness to work.
Hardin noted that seasonal hiring in Billings has started a bit slower than in previous years. “This year’s been a little bit weaker than years we’ve had in the past,” he said, adding that the hiring push has not yet reached its peak.
When employers do find candidates, the turnaround can be rapid. “They’re usually looking for people to start the next day, at the latest, next week,” Hardin explained.
National hiring outlook
National data provides a broader context. An Express Employment Professionals‑Harris Poll survey found 15% of U.S. hiring managers planned to add seasonal workers this fall, up from 12% the previous year. Additionally, 38% said their companies intended to hire more seasonal employees than a year ago.
Seasonal positions are also being used as a pipeline for full‑time employment. Eighty‑seven percent of surveyed hiring managers said they view seasonal jobs as a way to identify potential full‑time hires, and 44% of companies hiring seasonally cited the prospect of converting workers to permanent staff as a key reason for the hiring.
Looking ahead
For Billings workers, a holiday gig could open doors to longer‑term opportunities. Hardin said Express Employment’s goal is often to place workers with companies where there is a chance to stay beyond the initial assignment, “so that the employee we send to work for that company becomes their full‑time employee.”
As the holiday season ramps up, both large chains and local businesses in Billings will continue to seek extra hands to meet customer demand, keep shelves stocked, and ensure a smooth shopping experience for the community.
Original reporting: KTVQ Q2 Billings (local) — read the source article.
