Challenger, Gray & Christmas forecasts that U.S. retailers will add 450,000 seasonal workers in Q4’26, down from the 461,500 added over the same period last year. The expected decline in seasonal hiring comes amid high energy costs and concerns that consumer spending may slow into the holiday shopping season. If the projection holds, it would be the smallest seasonal retail gain since 2008 and roughly 17% below the 543,100 added in Q4’24.