Amazon.com Inc. will hire 100,000 seasonal employees to work in its U.S. fulfillment and sortation centers. That 25% more than the 80,000 it hired last year and double the number of hires just three years ago.
Tuesday’s announcement is the biggest percentage and numerical increase in seasonal hires announced so far this year among leading retailers. Many large retailers are holding steady on seasonal employees, keeping numbers the same as last year to manage the holiday shopping rush. Wal-Mart Stores Inc., for example, recently announced it will hire 80,000 seasonal workers this year in stores and fulfillment, the same as in 2014. Macy’s Inc. will hire 85,000, down slightly from 86,000 in 2014. Target Corp. is holding steady at 70,000. Walmart.com is No. 3 in the Internet Retailer 2015 Top 500 Guide, Macy’s is No. 7 and Target is No. 16.
In addition to the holiday hires, Amazon increased its full-time fulfillment worker rolls by 25,000 since August and has more than 90,000 full-timers in its U.S. fulfillment centers and sortation centers. Amazon has 72 fulfillment centers across 28 states.
At the close of the second quarter ended June 30, Amazon’s global headcount was 183,100. Earlier this month, it announced it will hire 19,000 temporary workers to staff customer service and its eight United Kingdom fulfillment centers for the holiday season.
Amazon, No. 1 in the Top 500 Guide, reports third quarter results Thursday.
