How to Hire Seasonal Retail Staff

The festive season, Black Friday, summer sales, back-to-school rushes… Every retail brand has busy periods throughout the year. But what’s the difference between brands who handle their busiest periods well, and those who handle them poorly? The answer – seasonal hiring. During busy periods, having the right team in place can make or break your success. And, whilst your full-time team always bring their A-game, there’s only so much they can do if they’re swamped – which is where seasonal retail staff come in to provide much-needed extra pairs of hands.

But, navigating the world of seasonal recruitment can feel tricky. How do you find the right people, at the right time, to ensure that your stores continue to thrive during the busiest weeks of the year? As experts in retail recruitment, the Zachary Daniels team are here with their top tips for seasonal hiring.

The need for seasonal retail support

Whilst they’re not necessarily there for the long haul, seasonal retail staff are the backbone of retail brands’ operations during peak seasons, providing essential support that could otherwise leave your permanent team feeling stressed, burnt out, and, ultimately, a bit frazzled. These temporary employees bring fresh energy and enthusiasm to your team, ensuring your customers receive the best possible service even when the pressure is on. Whether it’s handling increased store footfall, assisting with getting new stock out on the shelves, or supporting initiatives to maximise sales, seasonal staff are the unsung heroes of busy periods.

And, who knows, if you bag yourself an absolute diamond of a seasonal worker (and the timing is right, of course), you may even find yourself offering them a permanent job. Two birds, one stone, right?

What are seasonal retail staff?

Seasonal retail staff are temporary employees hired to support your permanent workforce during busy periods. These staff members can be employed for a specific period, such as the Christmas season, or peak trading times such as the summer holidays, or on an as-needed basis throughout the year.

These superstars usually bring a diverse range of skills and experience to your team, bringing a breath of fresh air that’s often much needed when you’re buckling up for busy periods!

Planning for seasonal hiring

Ever worked a busy Saturday in December, surrounded by stock strewn everywhere and a growingly impatient queue of customers, wondering how on earth it got so busy, and if it’s too late to hire someone? It’s for this reason that forecasting demand is absolutely essential to determine your staffing needs – plus, it will give you plenty of time to get in touch with retail recruitment agencies to discuss your hiring needs before the busy season hits.

To forecast demand, we’d recommend starting by analysing your sales data from previous years, looking at any upcoming promotions or events, and factoring in any anticipated changes in customer traffic. This will help you determine the optimal number of seasonal staff to hire and ensure you have the right people in the right roles at the right time.

Timing is everything when it comes to seasonal retail recruitment. Don’t wait until the last minute to reach out to retail recruitment agencies – plan ahead and allow plenty of time for sourcing, interviewing and onboarding new staff. Taking a proactive approach means that you’ll have your strongest possible team in place when you need them the most.

Attracting top seasonal talent

The job market is super competitive, so attracting top seasonal talent calls for a strategic approach. To stand out from the crowd, make sure your job ad highlights the perks and opportunities (hello, staff discount!) and explains why candidates should want to work for your brand. Use your ad to talk about your amazing company culture and the benefits of seasonal employment, and clearly outline the skills and experience you are looking for.

Where to find seasonal workers is another key consideration for the retail recruitment process. We’d recommend exploring diverse talent pools – students, graduates, or individuals actively looking for temporary roles. And, if you’re unsure where to look, why not outsource recruitment with a retail agency like Zachary Daniels?

To ensure you attract and secure the right talent in time, you will also need to streamline your application process – after all, if the contract is only a month long, candidates won’t want to spend a week on their application! Make the process quick and easy by utilising online forms and mobile-friendly applications. This will encourage more candidates to apply and ensure that you don’t miss out on talented individuals who are put off by lengthy or complicated application procedures.

How do I hire seasonal staff?

To identify the right candidates quickly, efficient screening is a must. Review applications carefully, focusing on relevant skills and experience. You may find phone or video interviews useful to assess candidates’ communication skills and personality fit. Skills assessments or personality tests can also be beneficial in gaining further insights into their suitability for the role.

Interviewing for seasonal roles requires a slightly different approach than interviewing for permanent positions. Focus on key questions that assess the candidate’s availability, flexibility, and ability to learn quickly. Look for individuals who are enthusiastic, adaptable, and eager to contribute to your team.

Struggling with the seasonal hiring process, or not got the time? It’s time to reach out to retail recruitment agencies such as Zachary Daniels, who can provide a much-needed helping hand.

Onboarding and training

It’s not just about the initial hire. Effective onboarding practices are essential for setting your seasonal staff up for success. To make sure they settle into your team quickly, provide a comprehensive orientation that covers company policies, procedures, and expectations. Make sure to introduce seasonal staff to other employees and create a welcoming and supportive environment.

Seasonal training should centre around the essential skills and knowledge needed for the role – so focus on providing clear instructions, hands-on-training, and make sure that they know that they can ask other members of staff questions if needed.

Managing seasonal staff

Retail leaders will know that maintaining team morale is super important throughout busy periods – and that includes your seasonal workforce too. Recognise and reward seasonal employees’ contributions and be sure to thank them for their hard work at the end of their contract. Remember, if temporary team members have a positive experience with your brand, they will already know the ropes of the role should a permanent position arise, so make sure to reward and motivate them as you would any other team member.

Searching for seasonal staff? We can help

We know that the complexities of seasonal retail recruitment can be challenging, especially if you’re already in the midst of a busy period and trying to hire. At Zachary Daniels, we are specialists in retail recruitment, and we can help you to find the right talent for your needs – whether they be permanent or temporary. Our expert team has an in-depth understanding of the retail industry and can help you source, screen, and onboard top seasonal talent quickly and efficiently.

Whether you’re looking to outsource recruitment entirely or simply need support with specific aspects of the hiring process, we’re here to help. Don’t let staffing challenges hold your brand back during peak periods, talk to us for retail recruitment support.