Walmart to hire 20,000 seasonal employees to help with online orders

Walmart is beefing up its e-commerce workforce — starting immediately — in anticipation of a busy holiday season online. 

The retail giant plans to hire more than 20,000 seasonal associates in its e-commerce fulfillment centers across the country. The available positions, which include order fillers and power equipment operators, begin at a starting hourly wage ranging from $15.75 up to $23.75 based on location, position and schedule.

It’s the first time in five years that Walmart has announced significant holiday hiring, preferring instead to give extra hours to existing employees. And it comes after the retailer has already substantially increased its ranks. Since March, Walmart has hired more than 500,000 employees across its stores and supply chain to keep up with demand amid the pandemic.

Walmart said its seasonal employment will begin immediately, with shifts scheduled to begin as quickly as 48 hours from applying. Employment will continue through Jan. 1, 2021, and, in many instances, the hires positions will have the opportunity to convert to regular employment.

The retailer also said that it plans to extend Black Friday sales throughout the holiday season and have more deals available online. 

“Over the past six months, our customers have been shopping differently, and we expect that will continue into the most important shopping season of the year – the holidays,” Scott McCall, executive VP and chief merchandising officer for Walmart U.S., said. “We’ve heard from our customers that many plan on starting their holiday shopping well before Black Friday and that they’re looking for gifts that fit their current lifestyle. So, we’ve adjusted our strategy to adapt to these new shopping preferences – we’re offering more of what they want now, earlier than ever, and all at the best prices.”