Uncertainty over the economy and tariffs forces many retailers to be cautious on holiday hiring

By ANNE D’INNOCENZIO, Associated Press Retail Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — Uncertainty over the economy and tariffs is forcing retailers to pull back or delay plans to hire seasonal workers who pack orders at distribution centers, serve shoppers at stores and build holiday displays during the most important selling season of the year.

American Christmas LLC, which creates elaborate holiday installations for commercial properties such as New York’s Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall, plans to hire 220 temporary workers and is ramping up recruitment nearly two months later than usual, CEO Dan Casterella said. Last year, the company took on 300 people during its busy period.

The main reason? The company wants to offset its tariff bill, which Casterella expects to be as big as $1.5 mill