The Demise of Retail: Part II - HR Red Alert
To view my previous post on the subject, click here ... W hile little is said about it, the service industry represents 80% of employment in the U.S. Economy (U.S. Department of Labor) with a large proportion in retail, hospitality and healthcare, and social services. At the time when the retail world - with its almost nine (9) million workers - is expected to make roughly 25% of its total business , people feel generous and shop more online or in store. But end-of-the- year shopping is not all glamour: as businesses dress up in red decorum, customers and workers see equally red , as hiring will not meet the projected 3-4% increase in business over last year. This is a stressful time for any human element of the business, an HR stress test facing the demands of the chaotic season of the retail world. A TRANSFORMED INDUSTRY: HIRING WHO AND FOR WHAT ROLES? The determinant factor of business survival, that is, reaching its metrics goals versus previous year(s), de...