Products

EMARKETER delivers leading-edge research to clients in a variety of forms, including full-length reports and data visualizations to equip you with actionable takeaways for better business decisions.
PRO+
New data sets, deeper insights, and flexible data visualizations.
Learn More
Reports
In-depth analysis, benchmarks and shorter spotlights on digital trends.
Learn More
Forecasts
Interactive projections with 10k+ metrics on market trends, & consumer behavior.
Learn More
Charts
Proprietary data and over 3,000 third-party sources about the most important topics.
Learn More
Industry KPIs
Industry benchmarks for the most important KPIs in digital marketing, advertising, retail and ecommerce.
Learn More
Briefings
Client-only email newsletters with analysis and takeaways from the daily news.
Learn More
Analyst Access Program
Exclusive time with the thought leaders who craft our research.
Learn More

About EMARKETER

Our goal is to unlock digital opportunities for our clients with the world’s most trusted forecasts, analysis, and benchmarks. Spanning five core coverage areas and dozens of industries, our research on digital transformation is exhaustive.
Our Story
Learn more about our mission and how EMARKETER came to be.
Learn More
Methodology
Rigorous proprietary data vetting strips biases and produces superior insights.
Learn More
Our People
Take a look into our corporate culture and view our open roles.
Join the Team
Contact Us
Speak to a member of our team to learn more about EMARKETER.
Contact Us
Newsroom
See our latest press releases, news articles or download our press kit.
Learn More
Advertising & Sponsorship Opportunities
Reach an engaged audience of decision-makers.
Learn More
Events
Browse our upcoming and past events, recent podcasts, and other featured resources.
Learn More
Podcasts
Tune in to EMARKETER's daily, weekly, and monthly podcasts.
Learn More

The summer worker shortage could hinder retail growth

The trend: Roughly 30 million workers typically join the labor force over the summer for jobs in restaurants, stores, and hotels serving US consumers taking breaks from work and school.

  • But with roughly two jobs available for every unemployed person in the US looking for work, the tight labor market is making it difficult for retailers and restaurants to add staff.
  • The situation could lead to limited services, waiting lists, and higher prices, per The Wall Street Journal.

Wages are up: Wages have been rising for the past year, as a slew of workers have quit their jobs in search of higher pay, leaving employers scrambling to staff up.

  • In April, the average employee’s hourly wage was up 5.5% year over year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
  • Those increased wages are eating into retailers’ and restaurants’ bottom lines, a challenge which a range of companies—including Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, The Gap, and Jack in the Box—cited in their recent earnings calls.

Pay up or else: Several companies are making major pushes to hire workers to ensure they can meet consumer demand.

  • Walmart in March shared its plan to hire more than 50,000 US associates in its stores and supply chain facilities.
  • Apple increased the starting wage for its US retail employees to $22 an hour.
  • Subway announced plans to hire more than 50,000 new workers as part of a nationwide program.
  • Yet challenges remain. While restaurants and bars have brought back many of the jobs that were lost earlier in the pandemic, employment in the sector is still below February 2020 levels despite demand hovering near pre-pandemic levels, per the Journal.

The big takeaway: While the climate is ripe for strong retail growth this summer, companies’ inability to hire enough seasonal workers could make it hard to hit their targets.