‘The Big Quit’ Roils Retail

THE GREAT RESIGNATION HAS been hammering the retail industry hard for months. Merchants are scrambling for employees and wringing their hands about how they’re going to get enough staff to run the registers, stock shelves and work in the warehouses.

The labor shortage, of course, isn’t ideal for retail businesses, or companies who sell products directly to consumers. But it can be a good thing for their employees, who are using their in-demand status to land higher wages and better benefits. And, for job hunters, the perks aren’t the only thing improving. Some retailers are relaxing job qualifications, making it easier to find a new gig.

With the retail industry navigating more than 880,000 open jobs right now, these new terms of employment won’t be changing soon. Here’s the current landscape.