CHICAGO -- In the race for talented team members, retailers might feel like they can barely catch their breath. Competitors like Dollar General promising to create 10,000 new positions and an unemployment rate that continues to drop present some pretty large hurdles for the industry. But these c-stores aren't letting it slow them down.
Here are three strategies c-stores are using to sprint ahead of recruiting issues ...
Sheetz goes on the hunt for full-timers.
Starting on May 3, Sheetz Inc. plans to hire 3,400 employees across the company. The purpose of the hiring spree is to boost the number of full-time positions and total employees overall. Last year, when Sheetz invested $15 million in wage raises, the Altoona, Pa.-based convenience-store chain heard from some employees that wages were only half of the equation and that they needed more hours, Stephanie Doliveira, the retailer’s vice president of human resources, told CSP Daily News.
The retailer will be offering open interviews at all of its 550 locations in six states. Sheetz plans to spend the interviews telling recruits about the company culture that helped rank them one of Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For. “Our employees are our most valuable asset, and we're deeply committed to investing in our people by providing competitive wages, a wide range of benefits and most importantly, a clear path to growth with the support network to achieve it," Doliveira said.
Cumberland Farms positions itself as a premium employer.
Cumberland Farms, Inc., a convenience-store retailer with more than 550 units, earned the designation of a top workplace from research analysts Great Place to Work. The certification comes from employee survey data and offers the chain a note of distinction in an increasingly tighter labor market. Staff cited the company’s tuition reimbursement program, $11.7 million paid in incentive pay last year and less expensive incentives like free coffee and fountain and frozen beverages for team members.
"Beyond providing competitive pay and extensive benefits, we at Cumberland Farms want our team members to find fulfillment, growth, and enjoyment at work," said Ari Haseotes, CEO of Cumberland Farms. "We are dedicated to delivering the friendliest, cleanest and most convenient customer experience, by first creating a positive work environment. And the Great Place to Work Certification Program is an integral tool that will help us achieve that goal."
Weigel’s searches for career-minded recruits on social media.
Weigel’s Stores Inc. is hosting job fairs for all its locations and is leveraging social media to recruit candidates who want not just a job, but a career. On Facebook, the Powell, Tenn.-based retailer with 64 c-stores posted a quote from a team member sharing how Weigel’s has invested in her development.
“I joined the Weigel’s team [two] years ago and am so glad I’m part of this family-owned business. Weigel’s is a great place to serve others. And it’s a place that really takes the time to train their people, so I can continue to grow my career here at Weigel’s.”
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