Spokane area retailers expected to hire about 600 temporary workers for holiday season

Washington retailers are expected to add nearly 13,000 workers this fall in preparation for the busy Christmas holiday season.

About 600 of those jobs will be in the Spokane metro area, according to the state Employment Security Department.

State economists say the bulk of seasonal hiring will be in general merchandise stores, followed by clothing and clothing-accessory stores.

Gov. Jay Inslee declared September “Careers in Retail Month” to recognize the numerous entry-level and management retail opportunities available.

“With more residents employed than ever before and a greater share of consumers expecting their incomes to rise, the outlook for holiday sales and hiring in general is strong,” the governor said in a news release.

A new retail spotlight on WorkSourceWA.com has information on retail jobs, wages and training.