Plan Ahead: Seasonal Hiring Strategies for the 2025 Holiday Rush

The holidays may feel far away, but for businesses that rely on seasonal hiring, planning starts now. With early economic predictions pointing to higher consumer spending and increased shopper demand in 2025, warehouses, distribution centers, and retail operations need to be prepared for a surge unlike recent years.

2025 Holiday Economic Outlook

Industry forecasts indicate that shoppers are expected to increase both in-store and online purchases, resulting in heavier demand across supply chains. Warehouses and logistics hubs, in particular, will need to scale operations quickly to manage inventory, fulfillment, and timely delivery.

That means staffing shortages could hit harder—and businesses that wait until the last minute to hire risk losing out on both talent and revenue.

The Challenge of Seasonal Staffing

Seasonal hiring comes with its own set of challenges:

• Competition for talent during peak months

• Training needs for new or temporary workers

• Compliance concerns around overtime, safety, and worker classification

• Retention risks when employees leave mid-season

Without a proactive staffing plan, these challenges can derail productivity at the worst possible time.

Tangible Actions to Prepare for the 2025 Holiday Season

Here’s how companies can set themselves up for success:

1. Start workforce planning early

   • Review your 2024 holiday staffing performance and use those numbers as a baseline.

   • Forecast volume increases for 2025 and align labor needs with expected peaks.

2. Secure talent before the rush

   • Post seasonal jobs well in advance to attract workers before competitors.

   • Work with a staffing partner like Eastridge to access a pre-screened pool of warehouse and logistics candidates.

3. Build in training and onboarding time

   • Schedule training sessions in late summer or early fall to ensure seasonal hires are fully productive by November.

   • Standardize onboarding materials so temporary staff can quickly integrate into your workflows.

4. Cross-train permanent staff

   • Prepare full-time employees to flex into high-demand areas when needed.

   • This ensures continuity even if seasonal workers transition out early.

5. Strengthen retention efforts

   • Offer referral bonuses or completion incentives to keep seasonal staff through the end of the holiday season.

   • Provide a clear path for top performers to transition into permanent roles.

6. Protect compliance and safety

   • Ensure managers are trained on overtime and labor regulations.

   • Partner with Eastridge to reduce risks of misclassification and workplace safety gaps.

Why Eastridge? A Smarter Seasonal Staffing Solution

At Eastridge, we help businesses get ahead of seasonal workforce demands with flexible, temporary staffing solutions that scale with your needs. Our approach includes:

• Access to a ready-to-work talent pool for warehouse, logistics, and fulfillment roles

• Expertise in compliance and worker classification to reduce risk

• Streamlined onboarding and training support so seasonal workers can hit the ground running

• A focus on speed and scalability, ensuring you’re staffed before peak demand hits

The Time to Act Is Now

The holiday rush is predictable, but staffing shortages don’t have to be. Companies that start their seasonal hiring strategy today will be better positioned to meet consumer demand, maximize revenue, and keep operations running smoothly.

Partnering with Eastridge means you’ll have the staffing stability needed to navigate the busiest season of the year.