J.C. Penney hiring 25,000 seasonal workers; offering premium pay on certain days

JC Penney’s holiday plans include extra-early opening hours and a prize sweepstakes.

The department store retailer, which recently named a new CEO, will close its doors on Thanksgiving Day.  Stores will reopen on Nov. 26, Black Friday, at 5 a.m. In addition, select stores will open at 5 a.m. on the weekends leading up to Christmas Day.

Penney is hiring 25,000 seasonal employees to support its more than 650 stores. To help sweeten the deal for applicants, the retailer  is offering an additional $2 per hour premium pay for hourly workers in all stores every Saturday and Sunday starting  Nov. 14 and running through Dec. 25.  (In October, Target said it will pay an extra $2 per hour for each hour worked during peak moments throughout the upcoming holiday season.)

“With a dedicated team of more than 50,000 individuals around the world, JC Penney associates are the foundation of our success — their passion, energy and talent fuel our company’s growth,” said Jim DePaul, executive VP, stores. “We are pleased to be able to offer this holiday premium pay  in appreciation to our associates and to help ensure an exceptional shopping experience for our customers.”

Penney’s holiday promotions will kick off on Nov. 1, and include weekly deals and doorbusters. It also is offering a holiday sweepstakes that will feature more than half a million dollars in prizes, ranging from trendy home gadgets to JC Penney gift cards.

Every time a customer makes a purchase in store or online from Nov. 1 through Dec. 24,  they will have a chance to win instant prizes long with an entry in the Grand Prize drawing. If customers don’t win an instant prize, they will receive a special savings coupon.