The Energy And Market Page, T+244 -- September 21, 2017

Two roads diverged in a wood. I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference. -- Robert Frost

Target: to add 100,000 seasonal workers this holiday season.

Walmart: will add 0 seasonal workers this holiday season. From CNN Money:

Walmart's move is a sign of the tightening labor market which has made it difficult for employers to fill open positions. There were a record number of unfilled job openings nationwide in the latest government reading of the labor market. More than 600,000 of the open positions were from retail. 

Really? A sign of the tightening labor market? Walmart took the same strategy last year: instead of hiring 100,000 seasonal workers, Walmart gave their workers additional hours, which internal polling suggested the workers preferred more money.

Labor force participation, recent, source:

Labor force participation, 10-year:

Costs: think of the costs involved in hiring 100,000 seasonal workers. Hiring process; training; government forms; OSHA compliance; pilferage; benefits (or not).

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Taco Bell To Add Alcohol To Their Menu

At Daily News:

• not at current drive-through Taco Bells
• alcohol will be available at new Taco Bells
• 350 new restaurants in big cities: Detroit, Pittsburgh, Nashville, New York
• Manhattan: to get 50 new locations (currently only 6 Taco Bell locations in Manhattan) 

A good spot for seasonal workers to unwind after work.