Seasonal

The leaves haven’t even turned yet in my part of the country, but the holiday onslaught is already well under way. Specifically, the annual deluge of forecasts and predictions as retail consultants, analysts, economists and others try to read the tea leaves with regards to the upcoming holiday season.

Richmond, Va. -- An annual seasonal hiring survey released Thursday by Snagajob indicates that more holiday jobs will be available this year than have been expected in any previous season in the study’s five-year history.  


The survey of more than 1,000 hourly hiring managers with responsibility for seasonal hiring, conducted by IPSOS Public Affairs for Snagajob, included the following highlights:

WAYNE, N.J. — Toys"R"Us revealed its 2012 hot toys list Wednesday, but not before Walmart did the same, giving the discounter a head start and the opportunity to poke fun at the toy retailer's earlier announced toy reservation program.

NEW YORK — While holiday retail sales will remain flat or only slightly up from last year, emerging consumer buying trends will have significant implications for retailers, according to a new survey from Booz & Co.

New York – Emerging consumer buying trends will have significant implications for retailers this holiday season, according to a new survey from Booz & Co.

New York -- Gap announced that it plans to launch a limited-edition collection for men designed by GQ's six Best New Menswear Designers in America for 2012, starting Sept. 27.

With price points starting at $20 for items such as boxer briefs and ranging up to $348 for such pieces as a leather bomber jacket, the collection will be available at select Gap stores worldwide and online at Gap.com.

Memphis -- Fred’s Super Dollar announced that it is launching a holiday layaway plan featuring no fees and a down payment of only $1. The plan also offers a $5 gift card to customers for every layaway purchase totaling $50 or more.

ITASCA, Ill. — Supervalu's Jewel-Osco banner will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with its 5th Annual “Sabor de la Herencia Hispana” signature VIP reception on Sept. 27 at the National Museum of Mexican Art, the retailer announced Monday.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart has launched part of its Fighting Hunger Together fall initiative to provide meals to communities in need.

Chicago -- A study released on Tuesday by BDO USA found that retailers are generally confident that year-end sales will top last year’s. According to the sixth-annual BDO Retail Compass Survey of CFOs, which examined the opinions of 100 leading retail CFOs nationwide, retailers are expecting a 4.5% increase in total 2012 sales.