Apply Today, Start Tomorrow: Retailers Hiring Workers in Droves Amid Coronavirus
As many retailers close stores due to concerns over the coronavirus, some are hiring associates by the thousands, and speeding up the hiring process dramatically.
Grocery chain Save A Lot, for example, advertised “Apply Today, Start Tomorrow.” Walmart is implementing a new process to expedite hiring for key roles, such as cashiers and stockers, reducing what is usually a two-week application cycle to a 24-hour process.
RIS often talks about how important is to have technology that allows for retailer to be able to rapidly scale workforce management solutions, training and more. While normally this is needed for rapid expansion or holiday hiring sprees, as retailers face an unprecedented retail environment, they are also up against this well-known challenge as well.
Below are the retailers boosting their hiring efforts during this challenging time. RIS will update this list as needed.
7‑Eleven
7‑Eleven expects as many as 20,000 new store employees to be hired by 7‑Eleven, Inc. or by independent 7‑Eleven franchised business owners in the near future. 7‑Eleven also anticipates the store employee position would meet a surge in mobile orders through its 7NOW delivery app. Applicants for corporate and franchised stores may apply at careers.7‑Eleven.com or inquire at their local store.
Ace Hardware Stores
Ace Hardware and its independent retailers plan to hire more than 30,000 people collectively to further support the communities they serve when they need it most. Full-time, part-time and seasonal positions are available at Ace Hardware's Retail Support Centers (RSCs) and more than 4,300 locally owned stores across the U.S. Interested applicants can visit storejobs.acehardware.com or text AceStoreJobs to 242424 for more information.
Amazon
Amazon is opening 100,000 new full and part-time positions across the U.S. in its fulfillment centers and delivery network to meet the surge in demand. In addition to the new roles, it’s boosting pay, adding an additional $2 per hour to employee salaries in the U.S., through April up from $15 or more.
CVS Health
CVS plans to immediately fill 50,000 full-time, part-time and temporary roles across the country. Roles include store associates, home delivery drivers, distribution center employees and member/customer service professionals. The company will utilize a technology-enabled hiring process that includes virtual job fairs, virtual interviews and virtual job tryouts. Many roles will be filled by existing CVS Health clients who have had to furlough workers, including Hilton and Marriott.
Dollar Tree
Dollar Tree plans to hire 25,000 full- and part-time associates at Dollar Tree and Family Dollar stores and distribution centers across the U.S. The open positions include full- and part-time managers, along with flexible part-time shifts for cashiers and stockers. Positions in Dollar Tree's 24 distribution centers include order fillers, equipment operators, and warehouse associates.
“We are committed to serving our communities by providing customers with critical essentials, especially during times of uncertainty,” stated CEO Gary Philbin. “Our teams at the stores, distribution centers, and store support center have been dedicated and focused on maintaining safe and healthy environments for our associates and customers, while providing essential products at great values to the neighborhoods where we also live, work, and shop.”
For a full list of available positions visit www.DollarTree.com/careers or www.FamilyDollar.com/careers.
Domino’s
Domino's is hiring about 10,000 workers for full-time and part-time positions. Domino's U.S supply chain centers are hiring Class A CDL drivers and all stores now have the ability to execute contactless delivery.
Domino's franchise-owned locations are looking to hire about 1,000 associates across more than 100 stores throughout Greater Chicago. The positions include delivery drivers, customer service representatives, assistant managers and managers.
"While many local, state, and federal rules are closing dine-in restaurants, the opportunity to keep feeding our neighbors through delivery and carryout means that a small sense of normalcy is still available to everyone," said Richard Allison, Domino's CEO. "Our corporate and franchise stores want to make sure they're not only feeding people, but also providing opportunity to those looking for work at this time, especially those in the heavily-impacted restaurant industry."
Those who are interested in applying for a position should visit jobs.dominos.com.
Kroger
Kroger has hired more than 2,000 people in the last week to keep up with increased demand from the coronavirus outbreak, CEO Rodney McMullen told CNBC. The supermarket chain in the U.S., currently has more than 10,000 openings for positions across plants, warehouses and stores, McMullen said.
“We have relationships with several different other industries where they’re directing their people to us,” McMullen said. “We have a ton of openings.”
Save A Lot
Discount grocery chain Save A Lot plans to hire 1,000 or more employees to immediately fulfill varying job opportunities within retail and distribution centers throughout the country. Save A Lot's hiring initiative spans all distribution centers and many store locations across the country and the retailer has also streamlined the hiring process, meaning many workers could start the same or next day. It has also implemented a simple way to learn more about job opportunities: job seekers can text RecruitMe to 97211 or visit https://savealot.com/job-openings.
"Save A Lot is committed to continuing to provide high quality products and great value to our friends, families and communities across the country," said president and CEO of Save A Lot, Kenneth McGrath. "Now more than ever, our teams are working around the clock in our distribution centers, stores and offices to keep shelves stocked so that we can serve customers. I am very grateful for the amazing team members we have across the organization and their outstanding commitment to our customers. It takes many hands to feed America, and we need more hands.”
Walmart
Walmart is hiring 150,000 new associates in the U.S. through the end of May to work in stores, clubs, distribution centers and fulfillment centers. These roles will be temporary at first, but many will convert to permanent roles over time.
“We’ve reached out to industry groups representing restaurants and hospitality to facilitate temporary roles that can be a bridge for their employees during this difficult time,” the retailer said.
Walmart is also implementing a new process to expedite hiring for key roles, such as cashiers and stockers. What is usually a two-week application cycle will be reduced to a 24-hour process. Anyone interested in applying should do so at careers.walmart.com.
“We know millions of Americans who are usually employed at this time are temporarily out of work, and at the same time we’re currently seeing strong demand in our stores,” said Doug McMillon, president and CEO, Walmart. “We’re looking for people who see Walmart as a chance to earn some extra money and perform a vital service to their community.