By Chrissy Blasinsky, digital and content strategist at NACS
So far in 2025, the number of job openings in the U.S. has been stable. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, job openings were at 7.8 million in May, up slightly from January (7.7 million).
The unemployment rate has also remained steady, clocking in at 4.2% in May—a rate that has changed within a narrow range of 4.0% to 4.2% since May 2024.
Suffice to say, the competition for top talent is hot, which increases the pressure for retailers to hire the right people the first time and implement a strategy for recruiting, retaining and growing top performing employees.
Making Data-Driven Decisions
Although there are ample tools available to human resources professionals within the c-store industry, data-driven solutions take away the guesswork. HR professionals want to make informed decisions that are based on data rather than a gut feeling.
By providing comprehensive analytics on various HR metrics—compensation, turnover, benefits and recruitment—the NACS State of the Industry Talent Insights Dashboard can help HR teams measure the effectiveness of their strategies and signal whether adjustments are needed.
By investing in their existing workforce, organizations can build a pipeline of future leaders—an approach that enhances employee loyalty and reduces the costs associated with external hiring.
Sneak Peek Inside the Talent Insights Dashboard
Two of the most viewed datapoints by current users are compensation and turnover.
HR professionals can find c-store industry benchmarks on salaries—from the executive to store level—as well as salary projections, bonuses and job titles. Benchmarks are also specific to benefits offers: standard plans, medical, dental and life insurance, retirement, paid time off and any additional wellness benefits.
The costs associated with hiring and training are also available, as well as 30-, 60- and 90-day turnover metrics by position and store size, whether voluntary or involuntary, and length of service by position.
Using a data-driven approach can help inform better decisions about the people and teams within an organization and align with a company’s overall mission and goals. Learn more about the Talent Insights Dashboard and start making strategic decisions today.