Most retailers are not intending to employ more people in the lead up to Christmas, despite stronger consumer spending.
The Christmas and New Year holiday is a crucial time for retailers, and many make the bulk of their earnings in this period.
Household spending has been growing a healthy 6% annually, underpinned by an expanding economy and buoyant business and consumer confidence.
The Retailers Association expects that to translate into modest growth in sales in the lead up to Christmas.
But retailers appear reluctant to hire extra workers. Though the Warehouse intends taking on an extra 1000 temporary workers over the Christmas and New Year period, Briscoe Group and Wellington-based Kirkcaldie and Stains say staff levels will be similar to last year.
Kirkcaldie and Stains managing director John Milford says retailing is still tough, and this Christmas is not expected to be any different.
Unions say shops have cut workers' hours and wages to cope, and expect them to do more when it's busier rather than hire more staff.
Ms Gay said retail workers used to be employed on a core 36 to 40 hours a week, but most were now on 20 to 25 hours a week, and this was increased in busier periods.
