Amazon announced plans to hire more than 120,000 workers in 27 states to handle peak season demand at its 90+ distribution and fulfillment centers in the U.S., up 20% from 100,000 in 2015, even as major retailers and carriers are holding the line on seasonal hiring based on lower expectations.
In 2014, Amazon hired 80,000 seasonal workers.
The National Retail Federation earlier this month called for a 3.6% increase in holiday sales this year, compared to a projected 7% to 10% rise in ecommerce sales. Major retailers including Target, Macy’s and Kohl’s have announced seasonal hiring plans that either held the line or were lower than 2015 figures.
Retailers are also looking to keep inventories lighter to avoid overstock issues like this past winter and its higher-than-expected temperatures.
Last year, Amazon moved more than 14,000 seasonal workers full-time positions after the holidays and expects to increase that number this year.
Mike O’Brien is Senior Editor of Multichannel Merchant