Spring is here, and so is the hiring rush for retail businesses! Every year, retailers bring in thousands of seasonal workers to keep up with increased customer demand.
According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), retailers hire around 500,000 to 700,000 seasonal workers in peak seasons, and spring is no exception.
But hiring seasonal employees isn’t just about filling positions—it’s about getting them up to speed quickly while keeping your existing team engaged and informed. 70% of employees feel overwhelmed by too much information, yet 85% of deskless workers say they don’t receive enough communication from their employers. So, how do you strike the right balance?
The answer: a strong internal communications strategy. Let’s explore how to prepare for the spring hiring season while ensuring seamless communication across your team.
1. Anticipate the Surge
Seasonal hiring requires preparation well in advance. Companies that plan ahead are 40% more likely to meet their seasonal hiring goals. To stay ahead:
- Review past hiring data to forecast workforce needs. Look at hiring trends from the previous years to estimate the number of seasonal workers needed.
- Align internal communication timelines with hiring and onboarding schedules. A well-planned schedule ensures new hires receive information at the right time, preventing confusion and delays.
- Involve frontline managers early in the process. Since they are directly responsible for onboarding and training, keeping them informed ensures a smooth transition for new hires.
2. Refresh Onboarding Communications
Onboarding is the first impression your seasonal hires will have of your company. Yet, nearly 88% of employees feel their company does a poor job onboarding new team members. To improve this experience:
- Update onboarding materials to reflect the latest company policies, technologies, and expectations.
- Use engaging, bite-sized content like videos, infographics, and mobile-friendly guides instead of lengthy manuals.
- Ensure accessibility by storing onboarding materials in a centralized platform where employees can quickly find answers and support.
3. Support Store Managers as Communicators
Store managers are the link between corporate teams and frontline workers. However, more than 50% of managers feel unprepared to communicate effectively with their teams. To support them:
- Provide quick-reference toolkits with clear talking points for onboarding and training.
- Create a two-way communication system so managers can provide feedback and report challenges.
- Encourage frequent check-ins to ensure new hires feel supported and engaged from day one.
4. Lean Into Mobile and In-the-Moment Channels
Most retail employees don’t sit at a desk, making traditional communication methods ineffective. Over 80% of the global workforce is deskless, yet only 1% of workplace technology is designed for them. Mobile solutions bridge this gap:
- Use SMS, employee apps, or digital signage to reach workers instantly.
- Send real-time updates on shift schedules, training completions, and promotions.
- Celebrate employee success stories through digital channels to boost morale and motivation.
5. Reinforce Culture from Day One
A strong company culture leads to higher retention rates. Organizations with strong onboarding experiences improve new hire retention by 82%. Here’s how to build that connection:
- Clearly communicate company values and expectations during onboarding.
- Showcase customer service wins and teamwork stories to inspire new employees.
- Celebrate small milestones like completing the first shift or first week to make employees feel valued.
6. How Sparrow Connected Transforms Seasonal Hiring Success
Retailers face major communication hurdles during seasonal hiring—disconnected teams, inconsistent messaging, and outdated onboarding processes. Sparrow Connected is built to solve these exact challenges, ensuring a seamless, engaging, and efficient internal communication experience.
- Struggling with real-time updates? Our mobile-first platform keeps seasonal hires and frontline staff informed with instant notifications via SMS, push alerts, and digital signage—perfect for last-minute shift changes or urgent updates.
- Onboarding takes too long? Use Sparrow Connected’s AI-powered content personalization to deliver role-specific training materials, bite-sized onboarding videos, and interactive checklists directly to employees’ mobile devices.
- Managers feel unsupported? Equip them with our Manager Communication Hub, providing pre-built message templates, real-time feedback loops, and automated updates to streamline their communication with new hires.
- Need to reinforce company culture? Our Engagement Analytics track employee interactions, helping you measure the impact of onboarding and internal campaigns while ensuring new hires feel connected from day one.
By integrating Sparrow Connected, you’re not just improving internal communication—you’re building a highly engaged, well-informed, and empowered retail workforce that thrives during seasonal surges.
Set Your Seasonal Hires Up for Success
A successful spring hiring season isn’t just about hiring the right people—it’s about setting them up for success. With proactive, people-first internal communications, you can ensure that seasonal hires are engaged, managers are equipped, and customers receive the best service possible.
Before the next hiring wave hits, review your internal communications strategy. Experience the power of Sparrow Connected and explore our Augmented Reality (AR) features on your mobile device. Click here to learn more.
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