JCPenney to hire more than 10,000 workers this holiday season

FILE - A JCPenney store at the Polaris Fashion Place mall on Black Friday in Columbus, Ohio, on Nov. 24, 2023. Photographer: Matthew Hatcher/Bloomberg via Getty Images

JCPenney announced this week that it plans to hire more than 10,000 seasonal workers nationwide ahead of the holiday season. 

The department store chain said in a statement on Monday that it’s hosting a national hiring event from Oct. 16 through Oct. 18 both in stores and online. The event will focus on hiring truck teams in October and customer service roles specific to the holidays in November.

JCPenney touted some of its incentives offered to employees, including "flexible schedules" with stores closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, as well as an employee discount of up to 25% off any purchase. 

The company also noted "shift flexibility to support work-life balance" and career advancement opportunities, including seasonal associates "having the opportunity for continued employment and advancement post-holiday."

"JCPenney also offers unlimited referral bonuses, an inclusive team environment, associate recognition, and in-home daycare concierge services," the company said. 

Other companies hiring seasonal employees for the holidays

The department store is among the many companies that have announced hiring plans for the holiday season. 

Last week, UPS said it is hiring more than 125,000 seasonal workers, specifically seasonal and CDL drivers and package handlers. According to UPS, nearly 75% of seasonal positions don’t require an interview, and applicants can get a job offer in 10 minutes. The base pay for package handlers is $21 an hour, while the base pay for drivers is $23 an hour, the company said. 

Aldi also announced in September that it’s hiring more than 13,000 store and warehouse employees nationwide for the upcoming holiday season. The grocery chain said it’s also increasing national average starting wages for Aldi store positions to $18 an hour, and $23 an hour for warehouse jobs, based on market and position.

Meanwhile, retail giant Target is hiring 100,000 seasonal workers to help with order pickup and drive-up, stocking and purchases. 

Macy’s is hiring 31,500 workers for the holidays, while Bath & Body Works plans to hire 32,700 people.