Big retailers are ramping up hiring for positions ranging from the warehouse to the checkout counter, as delivery and service workers increasingly become indispensable to Americans largely confined to their homes because of concerns about the coronavirus.
Amazon says it will also hire 100,000 workers to assist with online deliveries in the U.S., and raise their minimum pay to at least US$ 17 an hour through April.
"We are seeing a significant increase in demand, which means our labor needs are unprecedented for this time of year,'' Dave Clark, Amazon's senior vice president of worldwide operationsy said in a blog post Monday. "We are opening 100,000 new full and part-time positions across the U.S. in our fulfillment centers and delivery network to meet the surge in demand from people relying on Amazon’s service during this stressful time, particularly those most vulnerable to being out in public.
Meanwhile, Kroger, the supermarket chain, says that it has "immediate positions available ... across our retail stores, manufacturing plants and distribution centers.''
In the midst of the coronavirus outbreak, which has spurred shoppers to flood stores in search of supplies, Kroger noted that job seekers "could be placed for employment within several days of applying.''
The workers who stock shelves, operate registers and deliver meals, groceries and medicine are filling a vital role, as government officials shutters restaurants, ban large gatherings and advise the public to stay behind closed doors.
San Francisco was one of six Northern California counties that issued an order last 16 March mandating that everyone "shelter in place, that is, stay at home, except for certain essential activities and work." Among the exceptions who will be allowed to leave their homes for work are those in the government, those working on the construction of public infrastructure – and grocery store employees, as well as those delivering household products and food.
"With so many stores and restaurants closing, delivery workers are now the linchpin that connects businesses to consumers,'' says Neil Saunders, managing director of retail consultancy Global Data. "Without them, many businesses will simply grind to a complete halt."
But just as concerns about COVID-19 are ramping up demand, the virus could also hinder deliveries if workers fall ill.
"The worry is that with delivery volumes increasing and more people likely to fall sick, delivery networks could come under increasing pressure,'' Saunders says. "I think we are likely to see some retailers cut back on fast delivery promises in favor of broad windows like delivery within three to five days.''
Amazon says it will also hire 100,000 workers to assist with online deliveries in the U.S., and raise their minimum pay to at least US$ 17 an hour through April.
"We are seeing a significant increase in demand, which means our labor needs are unprecedented for this time of year,'' Dave Clark, Amazon's senior vice president of worldwide operationsy said in a blog post Monday. "We are opening 100,000 new full and part-time positions across the U.S. in our fulfillment centers and delivery network to meet the surge in demand from people relying on Amazon’s service during this stressful time, particularly those most vulnerable to being out in public.
Meanwhile, Kroger, the supermarket chain, says that it has "immediate positions available ... across our retail stores, manufacturing plants and distribution centers.''
In the midst of the coronavirus outbreak, which has spurred shoppers to flood stores in search of supplies, Kroger noted that job seekers "could be placed for employment within several days of applying.''
The workers who stock shelves, operate registers and deliver meals, groceries and medicine are filling a vital role, as government officials shutters restaurants, ban large gatherings and advise the public to stay behind closed doors.
San Francisco was one of six Northern California counties that issued an order last 16 March mandating that everyone "shelter in place, that is, stay at home, except for certain essential activities and work." Among the exceptions who will be allowed to leave their homes for work are those in the government, those working on the construction of public infrastructure – and grocery store employees, as well as those delivering household products and food.
"With so many stores and restaurants closing, delivery workers are now the linchpin that connects businesses to consumers,'' says Neil Saunders, managing director of retail consultancy Global Data. "Without them, many businesses will simply grind to a complete halt."
But just as concerns about COVID-19 are ramping up demand, the virus could also hinder deliveries if workers fall ill.
"The worry is that with delivery volumes increasing and more people likely to fall sick, delivery networks could come under increasing pressure,'' Saunders says. "I think we are likely to see some retailers cut back on fast delivery promises in favor of broad windows like delivery within three to five days.''
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