A recent survey conducted by the Hay Group revealed that 36 percent of retailers plan to hire more holiday workers than they did last year.

Business foundations teacher Pete Smith said, “I think that’s exciting. That’s my first reaction. I think it gives a boost to our economy, that we’re expecting more people to be hired this year than last year and that’s a good sign.” Businesses expect a good turnout this holiday season and are hiring more people to help.

Sophomore Hunter Allen said, “I think it’s good because if there’s more people working, then that means there is more money going into the economy, which means that people are spending more money, and then there’s just more money being made. They’re probably being paid pretty well for working overtime on holidays.” Allen said he has looked for a job for the past two months and has filled out three applications. Retailers are looking for temporary workers who will stay around from October to February.

“It’s the biggest shopping time of the year, and I think employers are looking for people to fill voids when the regular employees need to go holiday shopping,” Smith said.

Party City hired senior Chris Jun for a temporary job for the holidays. After  filling out an application and going to a short interview, he watched some training videos.

“Anyone that applied basically got the job,” Jun said. “I just wanted extra spending cash because the lawn mowing season is almost over, so I needed more money, though I will probably have to look for another job.”

According to the Hay Group survey, last year only 10 percent of retailers planned to hire more holiday employees than they did the prior year.

Smith said, “In some ways I think it’s because it’s an election year, so people are excited one way or the other that the elections are coming up and that I think it gives people brighter hope that the economy is going to turn around.”