It’s no secret competition is fierce in the job market these days, with unemployment holding at slightly higher than 9 percent nationally through August.

The retail scene in particular has seen decline as of late, with the U.S. Labor Department recording a 7.8 percent dip between July and August.

However, as with the cyclical nature of a customer-driven market, hiring is expected to pick up in the next few weeks as stores ramp up production and sales for the holidays.

But, according to a survey released last week, this year’s Christmas job market may not be as merry and bright.

The survey — conducted by the Hay Group, a global management consultant firm — found that although retailers expect holiday sales to increase this year, most plan to hire the same amount or fewer seasonal workers as compared to 2010.

The information was based on responses from 21 major U.S. retailers, including Charlotte Russe, Coldwater Creek, DSW, Macy’s and Pier 1 Imports. Two-thirds of those polled said they plan to hire similar numbers of seasonal workers to 2010, while a quarter said they would hire fewer.

Lewis Taulbee, general manager at Cincinnati Premium Outlets in Monroe, said the outlet mall is a great source for people seeking seasonal holiday work. 

“While we do not have the specifics yet on each store’s hiring needs, we do anticipate the center as a whole will offer more jobs for the holidays than last year given that we have new stores that have recently opened or will be opening soon,” Taulbee said.

Kathy Grannis, spokeswoman for Washington, D.C.-based National Retail Federation, agreed the overall theme of retailers in the last couple of years is to rely on existing staff.

“In any business model, it is more affordable to extend the hours of those employees on the payroll than to hire new ones,” Grannis said. “A lot of those working in retail love the extra pay — for them it is a great time; it means more commission and possible overtime.”

The survey also found that 48 percent of retailers would pay seasonal workers less than permanent workers in the same position, compared with 25 percent last year. However, 19 percent of retailers said they plan a modest pay raise of 5 cents to 30 cents per hour for seasonal employees.

But even though fewer people may be hired, there will be jobs available this season.

Macy’s spokeswoman Andrea Schwartz said the store started hiring in the last week or two at all locations, including Northgate Mall in Colerain and Tri-County Mall in Springdale.

“What we’re basically hiring for now is for a lot of behind the scenes (jobs), like the stock room, pricing,” Schwartz said. “The holidays are usually our biggest time.”

Most retailers said they already were seeing a steady level of seasonal job applicants, and 21 percent reported seeing between 5 and 25 percent more than last year.

Given this level of competition, Grannis advised job seekers to get their applications in early.

“Large stores will begin the hiring process in September and October,” she said, noting the value of social media pages as resources. “Check Twitter and Facebook, and even the store’s website will have postings.”

In Fairfield Twp., Home Depot said it typically doesn’t increase its force during the traditional holiday season. During spring, the company hires about 60,000 seasonal workers across its stores, according to Steve Holmes, senior manager of corporate communications.

Holmes said those seeking seasonal work at Home Depot should apply in January.