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What does “seasonally adjusted” mean, anyway?

Jun 5, 2024
It’s one of those terms we hear attached to economic data all the time. But what is seasonal adjustment and how is it done?
It could appear that there's a recession each January because of the drop in seasonal workers, like mall Santas, after the holidays. Hence the importance of seasonally adjusting data.
Jon Cherry/Getty Images

Holiday season hiring slows down

Dec 8, 2023
Retail hiring for the holiday shopping period is roughly flat, while transportation and warehousing are down from last year.
Well 80 Brewhouse in Olympia, Washington. Owner Chris Knudson says business is down slightly from last year and it's not as hard to find workers to cover shifts when the restaurant's busy.
Mitchell Hartman/Marketplace

Amazon desperately seeks seasonal workers while other retailers hold back

Sep 20, 2023
That could mean that holiday hiring will be slower this season, says Andy Challenger of Challenger, Gray & Christmas.
Retailers are still figuring out how to staff warehouses and stores as consumers switch between shopping in person and online and using curbside pickup, says analyst Jessica Ramírez.
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

The way of water: Running a business on the banks of the Wisconsin River

Apr 17, 2023
As seasonal businesses focus on inflation and new hires for the summer, the shadow of a possible recession looms in the background.
"In general, people will continue to recreate even during a recession," said Scott Teuber of Wisconsin River Outings.
courtesy Scott Teuber

As summer approaches, labor shortages make seasonal hiring tough

Apr 14, 2023
A tight labor market, plus caps on worker visas, may mean consumers will notice fewer lifeguards at pools and slower service at restaurants.
Public pools, restaurants and resorts are expected to struggle with hiring this summer again.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Seasonal job hiring has slowed, but when employers do make offers, they make them fast

Nov 10, 2022
Retailers seem to be holding off on hiring compared to previous years, but when they do offer jobs, they want people in the door fast.
So far, seasonal hiring appears to be down this year.
Mario Tama/Getty Images

Companies plan to hire fewer seasonal workers this year

Sep 22, 2022
Retailers are worried that inflation and fear of a potential recession will impact holiday spending.
Walmart said it plans to hire 40,000 seasonal workers for the holidays this year. It brought on 150,000 in 2021.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

Summer has arrived. Lots of summer jobs have not.

Jun 23, 2020
The pandemic has made it harder for younger workers to find seasonal jobs
Summer jobs, like those of camp counselors, will most likely be harder to come by this year.
Getty Images

As crab season approaches, Maryland processing plants seek guest worker reform

Mar 19, 2019
The multimillion-dollar industry relies heavily on H-2B visa workers from Mexico and Central America.
A woman picks crabs at the W.T. Ruark Seafood Co., on May 17, 2018 in Hoopers Island, Maryland.
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The unemployed could have an opportunity in seasonal work

Nov 25, 2016
Employers are looking for help, but a lot of people have jobs. That means stores will need to start looking at workers they may have ignored.
Toys'R'Us workers wait for shoppers inside the store during early Black Friday events on November 24, 2016 in Paramus, New Jersey.

 
Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty Images