In the spirit of retail holiday hiring, here are some more sales opportunities including retail, direct to consumer, and wholesale.
Account Executive - Specialty NE & Midwest
Tis The Season: Retail Holiday Hiring
Holiday retail sales are likely to increase between 4% and 6% in 2022, according to Deloitte’s annual holiday retail forecast. eCommerce sales will grow by 12.8% to 14.3%, year-over-year, during the 2022-2023 holiday season.
Due to recent inflation, budgeting is top of customers’ mind this season. Brands are having to be strategic about their Q4 hiring forecasts and distribution of talent. Some areas brands are digging into for hiring are:
The number of roles to fill vs. the number of people to hire.
When to hire (now vs. later as customers are starting holiday shopping now.)
Peak weeks vs. peak days (Customers are forecasted to be less interested in Black Friday and boxing day deals and more focus and multi-day discounts over the season.)
Diversifying the support needed for all channels of service for the customer to maximize ease of purchase and quality service (forecasting the needs for DTC, BOPIS, and in store success and hiring to those needs vs. historical holiday hiring forecasting.)
With current and anticipated customer purchasing trends throughout the season, the second week of October could be considered a bit of a delay for Q4 hiring. However, creative, strategic, and focused brands can still hire optimal talent in time for the holidays.
Get creative in how you connect with your market talent. As we head into the holidays, retailers are focusing on creativity and strategy with their hiring and marketing efforts. Brands across the country are hosting company hiring events and are taking to their corporate blog posts to communicate their seasonal hiring strategy with full transparency. We are also seeing an increase in brand partnerships beyond hiring but in a way that could drive talent interest. For example, Howard Meitiner, managing director at Carl Marks Advisors said that retailers that have “increased their visibility through strategic partnerships, will benefit in terms of sales from such exposure (Neiman’s/Farfetch, Toys R Us/Macy’s, Amazon/Kohls, Ulta/Target etc). This is a winning strategy when the partnership adds value to both parties.”
Meet your talent where they are. Store signage, flyers at the local coffee shop, and job postings on your website’s career page are classic ways to let talent know you are hiring, but these are no longer the most effective way to grab the attention of your talent. More brands than ever have turned to virtual hiring tools and social media strategies for hiring. Brands are tapping into passive interested talent by meeting them where they are, on platforms such as Instagram and TikTok.
Consider referral incentives this season! We believe that good people know good people. Encourage your employees and customers to support your hiring efforts by offering a Referral Bonus Program! The return on asking for referrals can be good, but the return when incentivizing referrals is better!
If you’re ready to grow your retail team for the peak season and could use a helping hand, connect with us or shoot us an email at info@emergingblue.com!
References & Additional Sources:
Kohl’s Prepares for the Holidays with Seasonal Hiring Across Stores and Supply Chain (kohls.com)
Remote Work, Quiet Quitting May Make Holiday Hiring Difficult For Retailers (forbes.com)
Holiday Retail Forecasts and Predictions for 2022 | RIS News
How retailers are hiring for the holidays in 2022 | Retail Dive
Now Hiring: Opportunities with Rhone
The team at Rhone is growing! We’re kicking off the search for a Retail Marketing Manager, Field Visual Merchandising Manager, and CRM Associate to join this innovative men’s high-performance activewear brand at their headquarters in Stamford, CT.
Click the links below to learn more and to apply.
Client Spotlight: 7 For All Mankind
Inspired by innovative denim and united by community, 7 For All Mankind ‘was the first company to bring premium denim to scale, putting L.A. on the map as the fashion authority of the west coast staple.’
Since their start in 2000, 7 For all Mankind, also often referred to as Sevens, has remained a key player in the premium denim industry. We’re excited to partner with their team as they continue to drive change in the world of sustainability, corporate social responsibility, and as they continue to ask the important question, “how can we do better?”.
Better For All Mankind
With the belief that every person should have 7 pairs of denim, one for each day of the week, they also believe that sustainability should be a way of life. Sevens has kept their focus on three areas of improvement: materials, manufacturing, and of course, mankind. Their sustainable choices are rooted in their materials. Their team prides themselves on their commitment to source responsible materials from around the world, including recycled yarns, hemp, and more. When it comes to their manufacturing processes, they work with their supply chain partners to best reduce emissions, energy, and water usage. Lastly and potentially their most notable commitment is to their people, to mankind.
https://www.7forallmankind.com/sustainability-page
Commitment For All Mankind
A favorite among celebrities, fashion editors and stylists, 7 For All Mankind’s denim has become a closet staple for many around the world. Their success, however, can be attributed to more than just their innovative style and fit. 7 For All Mankind’s commitment to social responsibility and goal of making continuous progress towards fair wages and better working conditions is what separates them in the industry. With a belief that people are what make them successful, 7 For All Mankind has a robust social compliance program, built upon their corporate code of conduct, that is dedicated to ensure that their workers, across all aspects of the supply chain, have ‘fair working conditions, are treated with respect and dignity, and are working in safe and secure environments.’
In 2019, 7 For All Mankind joined over 100 other apparel and footwear brands and signed the American Apparel & Footwear Association’s Responsible Recruitment Pledge to ‘address the risk of forced labor in the supply chain.’ In honor of the pledge, 7 For All Mankind has partnered with their global supply chain to create conditions that ensure that ‘no workers pay for their job, they retain control of their travel documents with full freedom of movement, and all workers are informed of the basic terms of their employment before leaving home.’
The Future For All Mankind
We are excited to partner with a company that is as passionate about sustainability and corporate social responsibility as 7 For All Mankind. With over 100 retail locations worldwide, a robust eCommerce business, and availability in luxury and high-end retailers across the globe, 7 For All Mankind is paving the way for sustainable and social responsibility in the fashion supply chain. As they continue their journey and innovations, we’re excited to support the growth of their team. If you’re excited about 7 For All Mankind’s mission and share a similar passion, check out the job opportunities with 7FAM here.
New Opportunities in Digital & eCommerce
We’re always hiring for jobs in digital & eCommerce. If any of the jobs listed below interest you, feel free to apply directly. If you know someone who may be a good fit for one of our roles, you can connect with our team through our Referral Bonus Program or at info@emergingblue.com.
Now Hiring: Activewear brand in Carlsbad
Our client, a premium performance apparel brand, is growing their team in Carlsbad, CA! These are great opportunities to join an exciting brand that is strong in their commitment to sustainability, community, and breaking down boundaries in today’s activewear industry.
Click the links below to learn more and to apply.
Under The Influence: A New Era of Digital Marketing
With ever changing marketing trends, apparel brands are always adopting new strategies to remain relevant and competitive in the industry. For direct to consumer and eCommerce brands, the majority of marketing is conducted online through various digital platforms. The societal power of social media has created an entirely new space for digital marketing known as influencer marketing.
Influencer marketing is when brands partner with nano or micro-celebrities with large social media followings to promote their products on their personal platforms. This new marketing strategy has been adopted by many brands, especially in the fashion and beauty industries, due to its proven effectiveness and affordability.
Influencer marketing is a great strategy for brands with target consumers of Gen X and millennial age. With a consumer base nearly engulfed in social media, brands are able to meet their target customers right where they are, on the platforms that they use daily. In addition to the ease in reach, influencers tend to have more personal and meaningful engagements with their audiences compared to bigger name celebrity counterparts. When influencers promote a product to their niche community of followers, their audience tends to trust their opinion as if it were coming from a friend, and thus are more likely to purchase said product. According to Shopify, “61% of consumers trust influencers’ recommendations–more than 38% who trust branded social media content.”
Another attractive feature of brand deals is their affordability in comparison to the cost of traditional platforms and resources used for advertising. In the long run, partnering with influencers has proved to be more cost effective in comparison to other paid media tools. The influencer marketing industry is booming at a worth of $13.8 billion and doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon.
Click the links below to learn more about influencer marketing.
Now Hiring: THE GREAT.
We have 3 exciting new job opportunities in Los Angeles with THE GREAT! Founded by long-time friends and business partners, Emily + Meritt, THE GREAT is a growing contemporary womenswear brand with roots in vintage denim and classic Americana style. Learn more about these opportunities below.
We're Hiring HR Experts in California
Check out our latest HR job opportunities in California.
VP of Human Resources - San Francisco
Senior Director of HR (Corporate & Retail) - Los Angeles
Leader of HR and People - Los Angeles
Human Resources Generalist - Beverly Hills
Global Director of Total Rewards - Carlsbad
Corporate Recruiter - Carlsbad
Now Hiring: Assistant Designer
Calling all Interior Design students and recent graduates! If you’re looking for a job to kick start your career, we’re hiring an Assistant Designer for Kimberly Oxford Interiors, an impressive and highly talented Interior Design Firm in Sausalito, CA.
Staffing Support for Your Small Business: EB 360
Staffing, especially post-pandemic, has been challenging for businesses of all sizes. However, according to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), “Smaller companies have had the most difficulty. They simply don't have the resources and, in many cases, the bench strength or business experience that larger organizations have.”
For years we have listened and learned from our clients, constantly making improvements to our recruiting strategy and processes. Originally called our ‘On-Site’ service, EB 360 has been designed to satisfy the hiring needs of any company, no matter how small. Made up of three services: Talent Acquisition, Human Resources, and Employer Branding, our EB 360 solution offers full-scope recruitment support, including the management of tools and systems, employee relations, branded marketing, and more.
For our EB 360 clients, we fully invest ourselves through a 1:1 partnership and open communication through weekly meetings, updates, and progress reports. By choosing our EB 360 solution, we will become an extension of your brand, fully committed to understanding your work environment and culture, therefore giving us the ability to make better suggestions and provide better counsel for all hiring needs.
We met Meredith Ascari while working on a job search for Mizzen+Main, a mid-sized performance apparel company based in Dallas, TX, and one of our amazing EB 360 clients. After proving to be a perfect match for the role and a clear brand-fit, Meredith accepted the position at Mizzen+Main as their Director of Sales-Wholesale. Today, we are fortunate to continue our EB 360 partnership with Mizzen+Main and work with Meredith as they grow their team. When we asked Meredith about her experience at a mid-sized company partnering with EB, she kindly said,
“Emerging Blue has been beyond helpful to work with. They are thoughtful partners that take the time to be extra diligent throughout the entire process. They understand your needs, your brand’s needs, and make sure that the candidate is not only a good fit for the experience required, but also is a good culture fit. They have been so helpful in recruiting great talent and I feel at ease knowing they are there serving as an extension of our brand. As we continue to grow, I feel confident they will continue to be a very good partner.”
It is our goal to continue to support the growth of smaller and mid-sized companies that often feel the pressure that can come with talent acquisition. If your smaller business is feeling stuck in your hiring process and could use some support, please reach out to our team at info@emergingblue.com.
Now Hiring: Digital Product Manager
Our super cool denim client is looking for a Digital Product Manager to join their team in LA. This is a great opportunity to work with a boutique brand that' is rapidly expanding their eCommerce business.
Now Hiring: HR Generalist
We’re on the hunt for a hardworking HR Generalist for our luxury brand client in Beverly Hills. Interested? Learn more here.
Falling for these Fashion Jobs
We’re hiring designers, developers, merchandisers, and more! Apply to one of our jobs today.
Senior RTW Womenswear Designer
Senior Denim Designer - Womenswear Fashion
Senior Gen Z - Women’s Designer
Senior Technical Designer - Men’s Denim
Footwear and Apparel Developer
New York Fashion Week Fall '22
Last week was a busy one for our clients, particularly for those who attended Manhattan’s semi-annual New York Fashion Week. This year’s events showcased a combination of both new and returning trends, including florals, bright yellows and pastels paired with brown, blazers, bustiers, boldly belted waists, and more. We loved watching the spotlight hit new brands who are focused on creating gender-neutral and size-inclusive fashion, like Private Policy, Eckhaus Latta, and Ester Manas. It was also an immense pleasure to support our client, 7 For All Mankind, as they made their first ever debut at NY Fashion Week.
More on NYFW Fall ‘22 at the links below.
https://www.vogue.com/article/nyfw-trends-fall-2022
https://fashionista.com/2022/02/new-york-fashion-week-fall-2022-trends
https://hypebeast.com/2021/9/new-york-fashion-week-spring-summer-2022-trends-gender-unisex
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/09/style/ester-manas-paris-fashion-week.html
Now Hiring: Apparel Technical Designer & Merchandise Planner
A growing men’s outdoor apparel brand is looking for an Apparel Technical Designer & a Merchandise Planner to join their team at their awesome headquarters in Austin, TX. These are great opportunities to join a brand with an unwavering sense of community and an appreciation for collaboration.
Learn more about these exciting opportunities here: