More Holiday Helpers Landing Full-Time Positions [AUDIO]

If you're out of work, the retail industry may be the way to go.

Retailers are starting to beef up their staff ahead of the holiday shopping season and a majority of those surveyed recently said they're planning to hire the same amount or more seasonal help this year.

About 57 percent said they would keep holiday hiring the same as a year ago, while 36 percent plan to hire more according to the survey by consulting firm Hay Group. Last year, about 10 percent of retailers said they would hire more holiday workers than the year before.

"It's pretty simple math. A certain level of sales translates into a certain number of jobs for retailers," said John Holub, President of the New Jersey Retail Merchants Association. "What I think is even more encouraging is they're looking to hire more permanent people. So, the seasonal workers won't be the only ones impacted. There's the potential there for people to land full-time jobs."

In fact, 43 percent are looking to hire more permanent workers according to the survey. "We had a relatively good summer. The most recent sales figures for August were quite encouraging. They beat most expectations," said Holub. "Hopefully, we'll have relatively solid back-to-school numbers once the September numbers come back. That's the second most important period of the year for retailers. So, hopefully it will all translate into a really respectable holiday season."

"Things are more optimistic in retail industry this year than last. We're going to be hiring more people and there could be a number of opportunities for people who are currently unemployed," said Holub.