ILLINOIS ( 25News Now ) - The Illinois Retail Merchants Association (IRMA) says higher costs are not the only reason less seasonal workers are being hired.

A survey by the National Retail Federation, hiring for the holiday season was expected to be between 265,000 and 365,000, down from the 494,000 in 2024.

If that holds steady, it would be the lowest level in 15 years.

While many point to this year’s tariff additions as the root cause, Rob Karr, president of IRMA, says not necessarily.

“We’ve also seen sales numbers up as a result of higher prices, inflation, and tariffs, but the number of actual products being sold is down.”

With many turning to a multi-channel approach to sales, it leaves many retailers with only a few options.

“Retailers can only control certain factors. Mu

See Full Page