Dive Brief:

• SpartanNash will host a national hiring fair on Saturday where participants will engage in “themed experiences and activities” meant to generate excitement and simulate on-the-job experiences, according to an emailed news release on Thursday.
• This includes “Minute to Win It”-style games where attendees load pallets or fill shopping bags with products.
• The event, which will take place across the company’s retail store and distribution center footprint from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., aims to fill 4,000 positions ranging from warehouse order selectors to meat cutters.

Dive Insight:

As retailers across the country hold hiring fairs aimed at boosting their workforce ahead of the busy holiday season, SpartanNash is taking a creative approach that it’s hoping will catch the eyes of prospective employees.

The fun-focused strategy is in many ways a reflection of the tight labor market where companies are vying for a smaller pool of workers than in years past. As major retailers like Amazon, Walmart and Target ramp up their seasonal hiring drives, regional and independent competitors may struggle to stand out.

SpartanNash’s “Minute to Win It”-style games include a bagging contest that will take place at the company’s retail stores, which include Martin’s Super Markets, Family Fare, VG’s Grocery and Dan’s Supermarket. At its distribution centers, job fair attendees will load boxes atop pallets as part of a timed game. 

The retailer/distributor will also share information about its benefits packages, give prospective workers a behind-the-scenes tour of the stores and facilities, and have current employees discuss what it’s like to work for the company. The company said it is looking to offer employment on-the-spot to qualified job candidates.

“Traditional job applications and interviews can often feel formal and awkward, so we are looking to put People First and transform that experience,” SpartanNash Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Yvonne Trupiano, said in a statement.

In addition to the job fair, SpartanNash is offering digital tools for prospective employees, including YouTube videos showcasing different jobs around the company and a texting service that lets people apply for jobs in less than 30 seconds.

Grocers including Bashas' and Stop & Shop have all recently announced job fairs, while major retailers like Walmart, Target and Amazon have each said they plan to hire 100,000 or more associates for the holiday season. 

Some employers are getting creative. Walmart is giving workers new smartphones, while Dollar General is letting truckers bring a pet with them on the road.