Retailers take a targeted approach to seasonal hiring in preparation for historic holiday sales year

The seasonal hiring rush is in full swing as retail companies shore up for their busy period. According to the National Retail Federation’s latest forecast, holiday retail sales this year are expected to surpass $1 trillion for the first time ever. 

UPS says it’s hiring 100,000 workers over the next few months to meet peak shipping demand. And Amazon plans to hire 300,000 seasonal, part-time and full-time workers in the U.S. over the holiday season. That figure is up 20% from the same period last year, indicating a jump in demand for logistics and fulfillment across its network. Retail chains like Macy’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Foot Locker have already begun to staff up their stores. 

Spirit Halloween, known for its seasonally run stores, said it’s hiring more than 52,000 seasonal associates across 1,500 U.S. and Canadian stores, making its largest hiring effort to date. In September, Michaels began hiring for more than 10,000 roles, and the craft retailer reported that nearly 50% of seasonal positions converted to permanent roles after last year’s holiday season. As the 2026 holiday shopping season approaches, retailers and logistics companies are adapting their workforce strategies to match evolving consumer habits and supply chain demands.

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