Brookhaven merchants are preparing for the yearly influx ofChristmas shoppers by hiring more employees to meet the demands ofthe holiday frenzy.

Many businesses bring in more employees so customers can gettheir shopping done in a pleasant and timely manner.

“We have hired a few extra people, as we always do for theChristmas peak,” said JCPenney Manager James West. “We usually hirearound the end of October or the first of November.”

Most merchants have already filled extra openings, but many saythey may hire more employees, depending on the holiday rush.

Employees at the Mississippi Employment Security Commissionoffice have noticed a slight decrease in job seekers this month,despite the holiday job openings.

“Part of that may be because the economy has been good and morepeople are already working,” said Manager David Holland, mentioningthe recent rise in employment.

Many retailers, though, have had an abundance of applicants tochose from during the hiring process.

“We had a lot of people coming in filling out applications,”said Gene Brown, assistant manager at Stage.

Cashiers, sales clerks and stock personnel are the most commonjob openings during the holidays, said Holland.

The temporary jobs give many high school and college studentsthe opportunity to gain work experience and make a little spendingmoney.

Some students only work during the summer and the Christmasholidays, so they can focus all their attention to education duringthe school year.

“I started working a year ago, but I stopped during school. NowI’m back working for the holidays,” said Hope Pettigrew, 18, acollege student who’s working at Brookwood Gifts and Antiques.

Pettigrew says the long breaks at Thanksgiving and Christmasallow students the time to work.