Amazon.com to hire 15,500 for holidays

Amazon.com to hire 15,500 for holidays

NEW YORK

Amazon.com Inc. said it is hiring more than 15,500 people to fill temporary holiday jobs at shipping centers around the country, more than it hired last year.

The online retail giant said in news releases that it will hire more than 5,000 people in Phoenix and Goodyear, Ariz., and 4,000 in Pennsylvania at locations including Allentown, Hazleton and Lewisberry.

In Indiana, it will hire more than 2,500 people in Whitestown and Plainfield, and it will hire more than 2,000 each in Hebron, Ky., and Fernley, Nev.

The Seattle company said it is hiring more people this year than last but not how many more.

Many retailers are increasing their hiring this season. Kohl’s Corp., Macy’s Inc., Toys “R” Us, Pier 1 Imports Inc., American Eagle Outfitters Inc. and others plan to hire more temporary holiday workers.

Retailers will add between 550,000 and 650,000 jobs this holiday season, according to an updated forecast from the national outsourcing firm Challenger, Gray and Christmas.

Vindicator wire reports