Retailers advertised more than 43,000 new jobs online for both salespeople and sales managers between Sept. 1 and Oct. 15, which marks a growth of 16 percent, compared to the same timeframe in 2010, according to WANTED Analytics.
Despite this, hiring continues to hit below pre-recession demand, which is down 23 percent from the same time in 2007, when more than 56,000 job advertisements were placed online. But as holiday hiring keeps moving forward and companies announce plans for more openings, job advertisements for seasonal and temporary positions are up 25 percent in regards to this time in 2010.
Clothing and clothing accessories, electronics and appliances, motor vehicle and parts dealers, food and beverage, and health and personal care stores have the highest demand during this time period. Of these five industries, there has been a combined 34,600 job advertisements between Sept. 1 and October 15.
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New York City, Chicago and Washington, D.C. are the three metropolitan areas with the highest hiring demand for retail salespeople and supervisors. In fact, retail employers and staffing firms in New York City advertised more than 1,900 new jobs online, which is the most of any city, at a 12 percent year-over-year increase. Chicago and Washington, DC also saw growth that is up 49 percent and 26 percent from 2010. According to the survey, the national average salary for retail sales positions ranges from $22,000 to $30,000, though this does varies by location, with New York having the highest average salary, ranging from $29,000 to $40,000.
Recruiting for retail sales-related jobs is likely to be moderately difficult, the survey finds, with approximately 12 potential candidates in the work force for each available job. The difficulty, however, is expected to vary slightly by location, contingent on local talent supply. Washington, D.C. is most likely to be the most difficult area for recruiting of the top-hiring metropolitans because there is a slightly smaller talent pool. The survey also shows that the easiest retail recruiting areas are El Paso, Texas; Anchorage, Alaska; and Lafayette, La.
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