Bloomberg (11/02/14) Steve Matthews

Retail workers are facing the most favorable job market for seasonal work since the 18-month recession that started in December 2007, getting hired with fewer interviews and in some cases with higher pay. About 821,000 workers will be hired for retail seasonal jobs this year, up 11% from a year ago and the highest since records were started in 1990, estimates Michael Niemira, former director of research for the International Council of Shopping Centers Inc. and now founder of economic forecasting firm The Retail Economist LLC.

Seasonal job seekers using the website Snagajob.com are finding work in an average of 28 days this year compared with 45 days last year, says company chief executive officer Peter Harrison. The Richmond, VA-based online matching service focuses on part-time and hourly positions. “There is a lot more activity by employers,” he says. “Clearly there is a very strong trend.”