Despite layoffs and flat job openings, retail hiring increased by 10% in March, according to a report by iCims, an applicant tracking system provider. The organization found that full-time retail jobs are in demand, with applications per opening rising 50% year over year in March.

Retail employers are seeing more candidates for open roles in the West and Northeast compared to the South and Midwest, according to the report.

Overall, applications across industries in March were up 3%, and job openings increased 2%, slightly above January 2023 levels. However, hires fell by 7%. In addition, applications per opening across industries continued to climb over the last 12 months to 30, an increase from 24 reported at the same time last year.

Meanwhile, tech-related jobs continue to be in demand, with applications per opening rising 45% year over year. Manufacturing and healthcare also had increases in application per opening in March at 31% and 26%, respectively. 

“The labor market seems to have found its groove this year, with smaller changes in the peaks and valleys of hiring, job openings and applications,” Rhea Moss, global head of workforce and customer insights at iCims, said in a press statement. “Still, talent acquisition teams need very different hiring strategies to fill open roles across the business and around the globe.” 

The report is based on data from the iCims platform.