Walmart is bucking a major holiday hiring trend, and it could be a brilliant move

Gunnar Rathbun/AP Images for Walmart

"We've got a really strong, trained workforce that's able to take on those hours," a Walmart representative told Business Insider.

• $4 isn't hiring a ton of $4 for the holiday rush this year.
• This holiday strategy stands in contrast with that of other retailers, like $4.
• A $4 representative told Business Insider that the chain's practice reflects the investment it's put into training its associates.

The holidays are fast approaching, but Walmart isn't following the trend of bulking up its workforce with a slew of $4.

For the third year in a row, the retail giant plans to handle the holiday rush by offering its 1.5 million US-based $4 extra hours in order to handle the holiday rush. This strategy sets Walmart apart from retailers, like $4 and $4, that bring in temporary workers during the busier times of the year.

"Many associates are interested in working extra hours during the holidays," a Walmart representative told $4.

A Walmart representative told Business Insider that the strategy reflects the chain's investment in training its associates.

"We've got a really strong, trained workforce that's able to take on those hours," the representative said.

The representative said that extra hours are there for associates who want them throughout the year, but added that associates aren't forced to take on more hours.

Back in 2016, the organization OUR Walmart successfully $4 for a new scheduling system that enabled associates to ask for more hours.

Nowadays, Walmart's policy of relying on associates might spare the employer somewhat amidst a tight job market that favors "employees over employers," $4 Rachel Premack reported.

The job market is causing problems for retailers that rely on the labor of seasonal workers. $4 Mary Hanbury reported that Target, JCPenney, Kohl's, and Macy's will likely feel the pinch during the annual hunt for seasonal workers.