The Influence of E-commerce on Holiday Retail Employment

## New York’s Holiday Shopping Shuffle: The Rise of E-Commerce

Ah, the holidays! For New Yorkers, it’s more than just a chill in the air—it’s a frenzy for sales, deals, and the annual shopping spree. But let’s be real, how we shop has transformed drastically. Once bustling stores are seeing fewer job postings because e-commerce is on the up and up.

### The Online Invasion: A Surge in E-Commerce

E-commerce isn’t merely a trend; it’s bulldozing the retail landscape. Just last year, 564,000 holiday jobs were on the table, yet 2023 tells a different tale with 520,000 [seasonal gigs](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm). What’s eating those roles? Us! Clicking away, cozied up with a hot cocoa.

Amazon, our favorite online behemoth, tops the hiring charts. Not far behind, UPS cranes its neck to keep up. This duo is at the forefront, preparing to ride the cloud of festive cheer, one package at a time. The holiday e-commerce wave is projected to surpass $1 trillion. Who would’ve thought?

### The Brick-and-Mortar Crunch

Let’s spare a thought for the brick-and-mortar folks. Stores around town have seen a pinch because online sales are soaring. People just want the convenience of shopping from their couches.

Yet, it’s not all drear and decline. Some retailers reinvent their spaces as browsable galactic pathways. Think less department store and more interactive experience. While some prefer wandering aisles, the digital draw intensifies.

### The Bigger Picture: Prospects and Predictions

This holiday season paints a bigger picture for retail dynamism. Expect [robust online sales](https://www.cnbc.com/2024/10/24/e-commerce-holiday-sales-predictions.html) to weather any economic squalls. Economists predict a hopeful horizon with retailers redesigning job roles to accommodate the e-commerce giant shadow hanging overhead.

Between 0:00 and 1:45 of [Chapter 1](https://www.cnbc.com/2024/10/24/e-commerce-holiday-sales-predictions.html), e-commerce’s meteoric rise unfolds. In [Chapter 2](https://www.cnbc.com/2024/10/24/e-commerce-holiday-sales-predictions.html), start at 3:02 for a deeper dive into seasonal impacts.

### Wrapping It All Up

In essence, the retail scene is doing its holiday jig, albeit with e-commerce now leading the dance. The stage is set, decorated with pixels, packages, and under a trillion-dollar sky. So, sharp dressers and online shoppers alike, let’s embrace the clicks and cards swiping overhead. Because ready or not, the digital holiday parade is here—floats and all.

_In production and editorial magic: DeLon Thornton, Darren Geeter, and Jeniece Pettitt weaved their fairy dust. With support from Katie Tarasov, and animated by Jason Reginato. Additional visual vibes by Getty Images._

*This piece has been turned in on the dot on Tue, 24 Dec 2024. 17:00:04 GMT.*