Why Now is the Best Time to Consider a Side Gig in Retail

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Americans are now working longer as 40 percent of people ages 55 and older are currently employed or actively looking for work. A separate AARP study found that 37 percent of working Americans ages 50 to 64 said they intend to continue working after retiring from their current careers. Of those, 44 percent plan to enter new fields in search of more fulfilling work, one of them should be retail.

The growing gig economy is contributing to the rise in the number of retirees returning to the workforce. In fact, on-demand job apps are challenging traditional retirement norms as they are making it easier for an increasing number of retirees to take advantage of the evolving workforce. For retirees who want to stay active and continue earning money, here are a few reasons why now is the best time to consider a side gig in retail.

The Retail Industry is Booming

The retail industry is always hiring, and there are a plethora of options available. In fact, the number of open retail jobs reached 908,000 in November of 2018. Additionally, many major retailers, such as Amazon, Walmart, Costco and more, have been raising the minimum wage over the last year as they battle to attract talented workers with competitive salaries.

As an added bonus, retirees tend to have the upper hand over their younger counterparts through their wealth of experience. Many HR professionals agree that senior workers can be more reliable, professional and possess valuable knowledge and skills that younger people are still developing.

Embrace Your Passions

Many retirees today are looking for ways to make their new-found free time more fulfilling by embracing their passions. Retirees can look at the years ahead as an opportunity for a fresh start and move forward toward finding more rewarding opportunities. Retail gigs, in particular, offer many opportunities for seniors to follow their passions while incorporating their previous job experience and professional skills along with their hobbies.

Think about what you might find fun and interesting to do or try when looking for a retail job. For instance, if you have a green thumb, you may consider offering your time at a home improvement store or garden center. If you spent your entire career in an office, but love the outdoors, you may consider offering your expertise with a retailer that sells hiking gear or other outdoor accessories that you’re familiar with. Or, maybe you would like to share your passion for wine as a part-time brand ambassador for a wine and spirit staffing company—the opportunities are endless.

Flexibility

A side gig in retail can offer flexibility and autonomy while also allowing retirees to remain social and active in their community without going back to the full-time grind. By allowing you to balance work with outside interests, social and personal needs, part-time gigs are ideal for seniors.

For retirees looking to make extra cash, a seasonal retail associate is a popular choice as stores typically hire additional associates during especially busy seasons like the winter holidays and even spring and summer. Part-time retail work is also a great way to help fund new hobbies, save for your next vacation getaway and take advantage of the various discounts and perks available.

How to Land a Retail Gig Job

Through a side gig in retail, retirees can work on their terms and provide great value with their wealth of experience. There are several ways to go about finding a retail gig—from searching job websites or simply going into the store and filling out an application—but to ensure your application doesn’t end up at the bottom of a massive applicant pile, you may want to consider using a retail-specific job matching platform. To find the job that best suits your needs and interests, an easy-to-use mobile app can help you identify a job related to your skills and passions leading you to opportunities to do things you love.

Stefan Midford, President and CEO, Capango