Businesses are trying to cope with the holiday season crunch in an economic climate the likes of which they have never experienced. With some projections forecasting the biggest holiday season ever for retailers, business owners are facing high demand while contending with supply chain issues, labor challenges and other lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This week's episode of the Market Dives podcast looks at challenges facing Missouri businesses as the Christmas season approaches.

First, we hear how some local retailers are getting creative to survive this vital part of the year that contributes nearly half of all revenue for some businesses.

Then, we get a glimpse at the idiosyncrasies of the seasonal labor market and what holiday hiring looks like in 2021. At a time of the year when many companies are looking to staff up, how's that going with job openings still near record highs?

Market Dives: It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas challenges

Major League Baseball announced this week that the start of its regular season will be canceled because of an ongoing labor dispute between owners and the players' union. This week’s episode of the Business Brief podcast goes beyond the owners and players to look at the effects of the lockout on stadium workers and local businesses in Kansas City and St. Louis.

Plus, the podcast checks in on Columbia Startup Weekend. The startup pitch event, which over the last decade has given rise to multiple now-thriving companies, returned last week after a pandemic hiatus.

Business Brief: The economic fallout of a baseball lockout

Missouri Business Alert’s Business Brief is a podcast covering business news and issues shaping the state.

Business Brief: The economic fallout of a baseball lockout

Missouri Business Alert

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