(NECN/KARE) - It may be one sign the economy is bouncing back.
For the first time ever, there's not a single empty storefront in the Mall of America in Minnesota.
The mall is big enough to fit the equivalent of seven Yankee stadiums, and every shelf is taken this holiday season.
From top to bottom, the Mall of America is packed this holiday shopping season, more so than any other year.
Typically the mall has about a 5% vacancy rate, but for some reason not this year, which could be a sign the economy is getting better. Stores are putting more money up front by setting up shop in hopes that it may lead to more spending.
Callister's Christmas is one of seven so-called seasonal pop-up shops which fill vacant spots in the mall this time of year. It's also a place to look for a job.
According to a report released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, retail holiday hiring is off to its strongest start in years.
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Seasonally unadjusted retail employment in October was 1.5 million jobs higher than in September. The last time retail employment jumped that much was in 2006, before the recession.
After a walk through one level of the mall is one thing, but landing the job is another story. A single opening usually means a stack of resumes will follow.
