U.S. Seasonal Hiring Plans Fell to 2011 Levels
Retailers and other employers are signaling a cautious approach to staffing this holiday season.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Jobs — General
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U.S. employers announced 90,787 hiring plans in September 2026, a 23% decline compared to the same month in 2025. This downturn marks the lowest level of September hiring activity recorded since 2011.
Why it matters
The slowdown in planned hiring reflects a broader shift in labor demand as businesses recalibrate staffing needs amid fluctuating employment data. This trend serves as a key indicator for operators tracking competitive labor costs and workforce capacity heading into the final quarter.
Employers announced 90,787 hiring plans in September 2026, a 23% decrease from 117,313 in September 2025. Meanwhile, the retail sector accounted for 65,150 of these hires, alongside 43,281 total job cuts across the economy.
The players
Challenger, Gray & Christmas
An executive coaching and outplacement firm that tracks and reports on national labor market hiring and layoff announcements.
The details
Companies are utilizing established reporting mechanisms to announce hiring demand, which analysts monitor to assess macroeconomic health. The data highlights specific operational shifts, such as 3,961 job cuts attributed directly to artificial intelligence. These figures provide an industry benchmark for business owners evaluating whether to scale or contract their own workforces relative to national averages.
Timeline
1969: Weekly jobless claims reached a record low.
2011: Last period with lower September hiring plans.
September 2025: Employers announced 117,313 hiring plans.
July 2026: Weekly jobless claims fell to 187,000.
September 2026: Employers announced 90,787 hiring plans.
Market Landscape
The current decline in September hiring plans marks a return to labor market activity levels not observed since the 2011 cycle. This shift suggests a departure from previous years of aggressive seasonal expansion as employers adjust to broader economic conditions.
Owners should evaluate their current staffing levels against these broader, more cautious hiring trends to determine if their recruitment strategy needs adjustment. Monitor internal productivity metrics closely as industry-wide labor competition may fluctuate with the cooling of total seasonal hiring plans.
The takeaway
The sharp decrease in seasonal hiring signals that companies are prioritizing efficiency over expansion as they enter the final quarter of 2026. Business owners should review their Q4 labor budgets against these national benchmarks to ensure their operational headcount aligns with current market realities.
Further reading
For broader context on current labor market fluctuations, visit our section on Jobs — General.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Benzinga.
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Is the U.S. labor market currently showing signs of a sustained decline?
