As American consumers prepare to hit retail stores in droves over the coming months, businesses are boosting their holiday efforts by hiring seasonal employees to help with the shopping rush. Recent research has found that more temporary workers are being brought on this year than in 2011, and retailers state that many of these positions could turn into full-time jobs.

According to a study by HireVue and Aon Hewitt, 48 percent of merchants surveyed stated they will be hiring more seasonal employees in the coming weeks than they did last year. In addition, 80 percent of respondents said they think one of the best ways to find permanent workers is from seasonal staff members, and more than one-quarter of retailers will consider offering full-time jobs to at least half of their temp employees this year.

"As the American economy improves, retailers anticipate a busier holiday season than last year, and hiring qualified talent to address this expected demand will be just one of many competing priorities for them," said Melissa Mounce, senior director and global operations leader at Aon Hewitt.

Several big cities are leading the retail holiday hiring increases, according to research by CareerBuilder. These include Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, Philadelphia and Chicago.

Despite the significant increases in retail sales over the past few months, September saw strong, but not exceptional, growth for retailers across the country. This could be due to the fact that consumers bought more for the back-to-school season, and are taking a break before the holiday shopping rush.

According to Retailing Today, several retailers posted solid gains for the month, including Gap Inc. and Limited Brands. Both corporations experienced better-than-expected results. However, large retailers such as Macy's and Kohl's were not able to meet expectations, as their sales totals fell short of analysts' predictions. Despite this, September was still a strong month for retail sales, and the recent growth points to a successful holiday shopping season, stated several industry professionals.

"This should set up to be a good holiday season," said Ken Perkins, president of Retail Metrics LLC, in an Associated Press report. "Consumers needed to take a breather once the back-to-school season is over."

The Associated Press reports that for September, retail sales increased by 3.9 percent from the previous month, according to research by the International Council of Shopping Centers. While this doesn't meet the 6 percent rise that was seen in August, retailers are expecting stronger sales leading into the holiday season.

While smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices have made it more convenient for consumers in terms of shopping and purchasing items, there is still much to be said for visiting retail stores to browse, compare and buy merchandise. Many retailers have been turning their attention toward providing mobile solutions for customers, but focus has not been taken away from improving the in-store experience. In fact, the two methods are now being used together to offer better service and faster transactions. Companies are continuing to create and develop strategies that give store shoppers more satisfaction with their visits, which ultimately increases retention and loyalty.

Retailers integrating in-store and mobile shopping

Although it may seem that mobile shopping defeats the purpose of in-store purchasing and that the methods should be enemies, such is not the case. In fact, many retailers are now attempting to bridge the two forms. EMarketer cites research by the e-tailing group which found that using cross-channel approaches actually boosts revenue and retention. Consumers are increasingly using their phones to research information about merchants and locate their stores, so many companies are implementing aspects that allow customers to use their devices in the browsing and purchasing process.

The survey by the e-tailing group revealed that 65 percent of retailers are giving shoppers the option to buy online, but return items to the store if need be. With 53 percent of merchants, customers can purchase items on the internet, but then visit the physical location nearest them to pick up their goods.

The source states that as more customers complete their shopping on-the-go, retailers that integrate their in-store experiences with mobile options can see many advantages.

Retailers catering to mobile shoppers

EConsultancy writes that businesses that have already implemented solutions for smartphones and other devices in their stores have seen benefits from their efforts. Several retailers in the U.K. are now offering methods such as QR codes, WiFi and virtual kiosks, which has drawn in the technologically-savvy shoppers. This is being done as a result of the increasing number of British consumers who are using their devices when they visit brick-and-mortar locations.

Customers are using their phones to compare prices online of items they see in stores with other businesses. They are also researching product reviews to gain a better understanding of goods. If retailers take steps to streamline these processes, then they can only stand to benefit from their efforts, reports the source.

As the economy continues to recover, many consumers are steadily regaining confidence in their financial conditions. Many are making their way back into retail stores, although there are still some who remain hesitant about the market. To attract these potential customers, many retailers are focusing their efforts on making the shopping experience more fun and engaging.

Marketing Week reports that a recent study by consulting firm Fitch has shown that some consumers view shopping for and purchasing items as a chore rather than something enjoyable. When it comes to browsing online or in retail stores, customers are either in one of three mindsets, the research states: the dream mindset, the exploring mindset or the locating mindset. The first two mean consumers are open to other ideas, while the last one implies that shoppers are focused only on a brand or item and will not consider any other ideas. Of the customers surveyed all over the world, 79 percent stated they expect to only locate items and purchase them.

For this reason, consideration should be given to making in-store and online experiences fun. One example of this being done is with Fashion's Night Out, an annual event that is hosted in cities across the globe. The Huffington Post reports that clothing retailers implemented interesting and attractive initiatives that drew large crowds and ultimately boosted their sales.

Retailers across the country are stepping up their hiring efforts to prepare for the influx of customers that will be coming into their stores this holiday season. The expected employment numbers during this time period have already surpassed the amounts from 2011.

Retailing Today cites research by Snagajob, which found that 63 percent of retailers stated they will hire seasonal employees this year to help with the holiday shopping rush. This is a significant increase from the 51 percent last year who said they were bringing on new staff. Additionally, retailers are planning on hiring more temporary employees, as managers will bring on an average of 6.1 employees each, representing nearly a 50 percent rise from last year as well as an almost 100 percent increase from the survey's lowest amounts in 2009.

Big name retailers are significantly boosting their hiring efforts for the holidays. Bloomberg Businessweek reports that Wal-Mart plans to bring on more than 50,000 additional workers for the shopping season. Kohl's stated that it will hire more than 52,000 new employees, which is a 10 percent increase from the 2011 holiday season.

Facebook, Twitter and various other social media platforms may have been created so that users can share information quickly and effectively. However, these sites are proving to be valuable tools for retailers who are looking for extra advertising and promotional resources. While these solutions are not exactly free, they are often cheaper than traditional marketing forms. Additionally, they allow businesses to reach out to a wider range of customers, and merchants are no longer limited to consumers in their respective areas. This can lead to increased online sales and revenue, as well as providing opportunities for further growth.

Social media promotion provides many advantages

Perhaps the reason that retailers are increasingly using these platforms is because they have realized that social media is not a trend. Independent Retailer reports that some small and midsize businesses spend an average of $845 per month on software products that allow them to better manage their social media strategies. According to a recent survey by Duct Tape Marketing and Vocus, these companies make up 36 percent of the ones included in their study. Other merchants decide to spend more on their efforts, with an average monthly cost of $1,000 for social solutions.

Of the businesses that employ these tools, 87 percent stated the systems have been somewhat helpful or have helped a great deal, the survey revealed. The use of social media management resources has helped companies with their marketing methods, as nearly three-quarters of respondents said they include these tools in promotional strategies.

"What I've been noticing more and more is there's finally this acceptance that social media not only isn't going away, it's an essential element of the marketing mix and the real challenge now is to figure out how to integrate it into the total online and offline marketing presence," said John Jantsch, creator of Duct tape Marketing, as reported by the source.

Facebook leading the way for social media

It seems as though Facebook is the main player when it comes to retailers using social media for marketing purposes, as well as driving sales. According to a study by RichRelevance, Facebook accounts for 85.8 percent of traffic that is driven to retail websites, reports Web Pro News. Customers who use Facebook for shopping stay on the site longer and are more likely to come back. Pinterest came in second place in terms of sales and traffic, followed by Twitter, the source writes.

Social media may have started out as a tool for users to share photos and keep in touch with friends, but it is now proving to be a useful resource for business as well. Retailers can take advantage of these platforms to bolster sales among current and potential customers, as well as research and retain data pertaining to consumer shopping behavior. As customers are increasingly using these websites to purchase items and services, retailers are beginning to realize the potential the platforms hold.

UK customers want to use Facebook for shopping

Although it is not yet widespread in the retail commerce industry, there is evidence that consumers are willing to use social media sites, such as Facebook, to purchase items and services. Internet Retailer cites recent research by TNS Omnibus, which found a significant number of shoppers could see themselves doing business with a retailer through Facebook. While only 4 percent of the respondents surveyed stated they had used the site to buy from a company, approximately 25 percent said they would be be open to the idea of shopping on the site. Thirty-five percent said they expect they will purchase more than 10 percent of their products and services through Facebook over the next three years. The report also states that online retail sales in the U.K. through the social site could reach £3.1 billion, or $4.84 billion, by 2015.

Facebook retail could change the landscape

There is strong evidence that indicates retail purchases made by Facebook could significantly change the commerce landscape, if it hasn't already. According to The Guardian, social media sites can also be used for connecting with shoppers who prefer to use that purchasing channel. If retailers decide to integrate a Facebook commerce option, then steps should also be taken to reach out and interact with consumers through the site.

Business 2 Community states that it will be retailers who lead to way for social media purchasing methods. Companies will begin to realize the benefits of operating a site, as it allows for better connections and shorter response times, leading to higher shopper satisfaction. But in order to do that, they must also be willing to conduct analytics, provide customer service and engage in effective marketing strategies to be able to maintain a successful Facebook presence.

After the firing of former Wet Seal CEO Susan McGalla, the careworn women's apparel retailer has begun the search for its next chief executive officer. However, in a statement today, Wet Seal's president and COO, Steve Benrubi, said the company might be looking into a possible sale after receiving a letter from shareholder the Clinton Group.

"The Wet Seal Board of Directors appreciates input from all of its stockholders and is committed to maximizing stockholder value. The company has engaged in a series of discussions with the Clinton Group following their initial letter on June 15," said Benrubi.

The struggling apparel company has seen declines in its comparable-store sales from 13 percent to 14 percent this month alone. According to CBS News, The Clinton Group owns 4.25 percent of Wet Seal's stock and has been urging the company to sell instead of searching for a new CEO. According to B. Riley & Co's chief analyst, Jeff Van Sinderen, the sale of the company could be imminent due to a shortage of CEO candidates for the fledgling corporation.

As Wet Seal revamps its image and operational management, it could benefit from retail solutions, such as the applications offered by Retail Pro. These POS software packages allow large stores to keep up with inventory in order to offer optimal customer experiences.

Retailers are using a variety of means to reach out to new and existing customers to boost business, improve loyalty and hone their retail merchandising strategies.

For example, California retailers have begun increasing their number of bilingual employees to keep up with customers whose first language is not English, the Contra Costa Times reports.

Companies such as Safeway, Home Depot, Sears, Kmart and a variety of local chains and stores are seeking bilingual candidates in the interview process. Those retailers that run more technically oriented stores such as hardware or home improvement stories find bilingual employees exceptionally helpful.

"A lot of retailers are very much focused on providing a diverse workforce for diverse customers that are coming into their stores. They recognize that a lot of people that come into their stores don't always speak the language," Jackie Fernandez, retail partner with Deloitte's Los Angeles practice, told the paper.

Retailers aren't the only sectors seeking bilingual employees. Local, regional and federal governments as well as political campaigns are also seeking people who speak more than one language to better connect with their target audiences and visitors.

Shifting technology and marketing strategies are changing the way companies approach retail merchandising, as well as the speed and timeliness with which they do so.

In a recent interview for the website Small Business Trends, senior vice president of marketing at Desk.com Matt Trifiro explained how mobile technology is changing customer service strategies and relations.

"Mobile has completely revolutionized our relationship to the internet and similarly our relationship to companies," Trifiro explains. "When I had a good or bad customer service experience, chances are, the device that is nearest me is going to be my mobile phone. The easiest thing to do was to Tweet, and I've done that."

To prevent consumer from harnessing this technology to vent, Trifero suggests that companies identify the tools that will help them manage the technologies more effectively and efficiently.

Companies, he explains, don't need to hire separate social media, email and customer service experts in all cases. If companies choose their social networks and employees wisely, they can take care of consumer needs without breaking the bank.