Large employers are increasingly hiring part-time workers over seasonal roles, according to data from the Indeed Hiring Lab, signaling potential optimism about future staffing needs heading into 2027. Seasonal job postings rose 10% year over year compared to 2025 and 7% compared to 2019 levels, as reported by economist Cory Stahle on Thursday. Worker interest is also growing, with desktop searches for seasonal work up 28% year over year, suggesting people are “increasingly seeking a little extra income before the year ends.”
Shift Toward Year-Round Employment
The Indeed data reveals that many major employers are favoring part-time positions over seasonal hires. By the end of September 2025, 34% of job postings from large employers were explicitly labeled as seasonal; that figure dropped to about 20% in 2026. Meanwhile, part-time job postings increased from 38% to 49% during the same period. Stahle noted that part-time roles are “presumably year-round,” indicating that “at least some employers may expect demand to hold up well into 2027.”
This shift contrasts with traditional seasonal hiring patterns, where job listings typically peak from mid-September through mid-November. While this year saw higher-than-usual postings in August, followed by a slowdown, late September saw another increase in listings. Stahle cautioned that the early momentum could fade but added that “it’s a good start” and momentum might extend beyond the holiday season.
E-commerce Driving Warehouse Demand
The composition of seasonal roles is evolving. Retail remains the largest sector for seasonal hiring, but its share fell slightly to 61% this year, down from roughly two-thirds in 2019. Warehouse positions, including loading and stocking roles, now account for about 9% of seasonal postings, up from 3.5% in 2019. This change reflects the growing emphasis on e-commerce fulfillment and distribution centers during the holiday period.
Photography roles have also entered the top five job categories for non-retail seasonal work, driven by demand for event photography and family portraits, Stahle said. Despite these adjustments, early hiring activity suggests competition for talent will remain strong, with employers needing to emphasize pay transparency, scheduling flexibility, and career advancement opportunities.
However, several large retailers are scaling back on seasonal hiring announcements. A Challenger, Gray & Christmas report noted that only a few companies have publicly shared 2026 headcount plans, with a “pattern of quieter announcements” indicating retailers may rely more on existing staff and on-demand labor pools instead of committing to large seasonal hires early.
