Toys ‘R' Us Doubling Workforce, Focusing On Training For Holiday 2014
By Megan Zielinski, contributing writer
This holiday season, Toys ‘R’ Us plans to employ up to 45,000 seasonal workers at stores and fulfillment centers across the country, making sure that every customer is satisfied with their in-store and online shopping experience through help of knowledgeable staff.
Seasonal employees undergo the same curriculum as the common Toys ‘R’ Us team member as well as consistent on-the-job training of the toy retailer’s constantly updated inventory, new store services, and popular brands available on shelves and online during the holidays. Employees are fully-educated and well-prepared to assist customers, offering guidance and product information during the holidays and beyond—over 9,000 seasonal employees last year resumed their occupation permanently, with some promoted to higher positions, such as full-time management. The work of a seasonal employee serves as a monthly job interview, portraying an individual’s true work ethic that cannot be described on a resume. Toys ‘R’ Us seeks passionate seasonal associates who want to turn their jobs into a career.
“As THE toy authority, moms, dads and gift-givers are counting on us to provide them with expert toy advice as they search for the perfect present, all while offering exceptional service and a memorable shopping experience,” said Mark Eberly, Vice President, Human Resources, Toys“R”Us, U.S. “We’re looking for dedicated, customer-centric employees who will strive to help shoppers deliver a great Christmas for the little ones in their lives whenever, wherever and however they choose to shop with us this holiday season.
In October, the newest wave of holiday hires, who acquired their positions in September, will begin helping early Christmas shoppers find everything on their shopping list. More in-store positions will continue to be added as late as Christmas. Fulfillment centers began seasonal employment in July, accepting applicants up until November to help keep inventory full-stocked and carry out omnichannel capabilities. While consumers began removing Christmas decorations last year, Toys ‘R’ Us was already thinking about the upcoming holiday season—interviews for seasonal employment for fulfillment centers began as early as spring of this year. Daniel Butler, vice president of retail operations at the National Retail Federation stresses the importance of searching for holiday help early, stating, "If you're a retailer who's not hiring in September, you're giving your competitors a lead on you.” Early preparation enables retailers, such as Toys ‘R’Us to make appropriate marketing, inventory and staff adjustments as the months lead up to the holidays. "For the holiday season, you want to be in front and ready for the business when it happens," said Butler.