Clark predicted that it was going to be a bleak hiring season in the retail industry this year. Well, he was wrong. Retailers are very nervous about people buying gifts this holiday season, so they’re doing everything they can to stir up traffic. As a result, they’re hiring more people and they’re hiring those people much earlier this year. So, if you want to pick up a seasonal job, you can make some good money to pay off debts. Or you can use the money to buy gifts for people. As a shopper, the shopping season will be longer this year because retailers are “front loading” sales. They realize energy and heating costs are going to be higher this year, so they’re trying to get you to buy earlier before you get hit.