According to a new survey, retail jobs in Washington are showing big gains.

Hiring for the holidays was a sturdy predictor of retail sales, which were up dramatically this year.

Job ads were also up. Retailers placed more than 72,000 new online job ads for Salespersons and Sales Managers, according to WANTED Analytics.
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Clothing retailer J.Crew has announced it is expanding its Lynchburg facility to create retail jobs in Virginia.

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell announced the expansion and said J.Crew will be creating 177 jobs.

According to Bloomberg.com, J.Crew Group Inc. senior vice president Tony Brown says expanding the Lynchburg center will enhance the company’s commitment to customer service and support current and future growth. (more…)

Dollar General has announced it will be hiring for hundreds of retail jobs in Pennsylvania.

Building on its plans to open 625 new stores in fiscal 2011, Dollar General Corp. today announced that it plans to create 6,000 new jobs. The new stores and jobs will be spread among Dollar General’s existing 35-state operating area as well as three new states: Connecticut, Nevada and New Hampshire.

“Bringing our store model of convenience and value to more people in more states is an exciting opportunity for us,” said Rick Dreiling, Dollar General’s chairman and CEO. “We believe the new communities and states we are entering will benefit from the new jobs, shopping choices and dedication to community found at Dollar General.“
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HHGregg has announced they will be opening ten new stores and hiring many new employees for retail jobs in Washington, D.C.

The Indianapolis-based consumer electronics and home appliance retailer is hiring at least 500 employees. Although many similar retailers nationwide are struggling to stay afloat in this downtrodden economy, HHGregg is thriving and expanding.

The retailer has said they will hire 50 employees for each store. Six stores will be opened in Virginia and four in Maryland.

To attract potential candidates, the retailer is holding job fairs in these cities in mid-July.

According to IndyStar.com, in May, hhgregg opened its first stores in Delaware and New Jersey, along with six other stores in Pennsylvania, hiring 600 employees to staff the 30,000-square-foot stores that sell televisions, appliances and electronics. That brought its U.S. store count to 157.

HHGregg said they would like to grow their total store number to 400 by 2018, a lofty but attainable goal.

“As we continue to move forward with our mid-Atlantic expansion, we look forward to hiring talented members of the local community to be part of the hhgregg team,” said Greg Walker, vice president, Mid-Atlantic region. “There are many exciting opportunities for motivated individuals looking to grow with our company. We encourage anyone who is interested in joining our team to apply.”

Like all hhgregg employees, newly hired associates will undergo a comprehensive training program that includes over 200 hours of product training. The program is designed to ensure each associate is well prepared to answer all product related questions in order to help customers make the best purchase decisions. Each hhgregg store showcases over 100 digital TVs and has more than 500 major appliances in stock every day.

Individuals interested in applying for the open positions are encouraged to visit the “Careers” section on hhgregg’s website. An online application and assessment must be completed in order to secure an interview with the company. To apply online, please visit http://www.hhgregg-jobs.com/.

To learn more about upcoming hhgregg store openings, please visit the “hhGO” link on the company’s website, http://www.hhgreggnewstores.com/, or visit http://www.hhgregg.com/.

Several of the empty Circuit City buildings are now occupied by HHGregg, which will create over 300 new retail jobs in Maryland.

According to WBALTV.com, appliance and electronics retailer HHGregg opened six stores on Thursday afternoon, and some said it’s a sign of an economic rebound.

“The Baltimore market, we feel, is right for our style of service,” said HHGregg Chief Executive Officer Dennis May.

One local economist said it is good timing. Last month, consumers spent more on electronics than in previous months.

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State and federal officials have formulated a plan to help save thousands of PA retail jobs.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development recently approved a plan that Gov. Edward G. Rendell initiated in November 2008. The plan will provide a $43.7 million loan to help save 24 Boscov’s department stores and retain the company’s 5,000 employees throughout Pennsylvania.

“This is great news for Pennsylvania, its people, communities and one of our most respected businesses,” Rendell said. “Boscov’s has been a cornerstone of many communities in Pennsylvania since 1918. Today, with 24 locations throughout the state and more than 5,000 employees, they remain a significant part our economy.

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