February 17, 2011

Home Depot hiring 60,000 for spring season

ATLANTA

Never mind the snow. Home Depot Inc. is ramping up for spring, with plans to hire more than 60,000 seasonal workers to help with its busiest season of the year.

Spokeswoman Jean Niemi said the seasonal staffing level is on pace with last year, when its Spring Black Friday promotion first started. With the promotion heading into its second straight year, the world’s biggest home improvement retailer is looking to fill its seasonal positions prior to the event.

“Spring is our Christmas and traffic is at its highest during this season,’’ Craig Menear, executive vice-president for merchandising, said in a statement.

Consumers typically head to home improvement stores in the spring to pick up flowers, vegetables and lawn care products as they prepare for the summer. Home Depot’s Spring Black Friday promotion, which will occur over four different weekends, will be rolled out in various markets and timed to weather conditions.

Many retailers hire seasonal help during their busiest selling seasons. U.S. companies including Kohl’s Corp., Macy’s Inc. and Toys R Us boosted their staffing levels during the December holidays to keep up with customer demand for clothing, toys and other items.

Home Depot said its seasonal workers, which will be hired and trained in February and March, will be in every market. The Atlanta company currently has more than 300,000 employees.

Home Depot said it will also add some permanent part-time and full-time jobs this year.

In December, Home Depot boosted its 2010 earnings and revenue outlooks on stronger sales. The chain also said it plans to open 10 new stores in 2011, including seven in Mexico.

Home Depot has 2,247 retail stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, 10 Canadian provinces, Mexico and China.

Associated Press

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