Target to pay employees extra for working peak days of holiday season

Target Corp. is adding a pay incentive focused on the upcoming holiday season.

The discounter announced it will pay an extra $2 per hour for each hour worked during peak moments throughout the upcoming holiday season. The pay bump will be given to hourly store, select headquarters and service center employees who work every Saturday and Sunday from Nov. 20 to Dec. 19, plus Friday, Dec. 24 and Sunday, Dec. 26. (Seasonal employees are also eligible for the increase.)

The extra pay will also be given to hourly supply chain employees for a two-week period from Oct. 10 to Dec. 18. (The period will vary based on the building the employee works in.)

“This team continues to be at the heart of our strategy,” said chief human resources officer Melissa Kremer in a note to employees. “You have shown up consistently for our guests and one another with a tremendous amount of care and we know this busy holiday season will be no different. This is just one more way of expressing our deep gratitude for your significant contributions.”

In September, Target said that, in addition to hiring 100,000 seasonal employees, it would offer more hours to its existing store employees throughout the holiday season, adding up to more than $75 million in pay. The chain has introduced a mobile scheduling app that allows employees to add or swap shifts that align with their schedules. Last week, Target said it is adding 30,000 supply chain positions nationwide.

Target and other retailers are facing a labor crunch as they ramp up for a holiday shopping season that is expected to see strong growth, with sales increasing as much as 9% over last year, according to forecasts from Mastercard Spending Pulse and Deloitte.

[Read More: Study: Consumers will shop early this holiday season]