Dive Brief:
- Kohl's will roll out bonuses for hourly associates this holiday season, the retailer announced July 2.
- Workers who work with Kohl's through the holiday season will be eligible for bonuses ranging from $100 to $400.
- The extra cash will be available for store, distribution center and e-commerce fulfillment workers, according to a press release.
Dive Insight:
In its announcement, Kohl's referenced another update: It's hiring "actively" in anticipation of the holidays. Its campaign includes virtual hiring options — job seekers can apply online or via text.
The store's announcement touches on two trends retailers and other employers are uncomfortably familiar with at the moment. The first? Staffing. Employers across industries are attempting to lure workers with little to show for their efforts. Researchers continue to debate why job openings persist, with reasoning spanning from poor childcare access to hefty unemployment benefits.
As employers fight to grow their workforces, many have boosted compensation, benefits or both — another trend Kohl's references in its update. Gap Inc. announced at the beginning of June it would offer $300 bonuses to frontline employees at stores and customer experience centers. Several other big-box retailers announced widespread bonuses throughout the pandemic, framing the payouts as recognition for workers' service.
Wages are on the rise, too. Hourly workers saw wage growth accelerate or hold steady during the pandemic, according to the Atlanta Fed's Wage Growth Tracker. And pay has accelerated for workers with less formal education, too.
