By MAE ANDERSON
AP Retail Writer
Toys R Us is hiring 45,000
seasonal workers to staff up its pop up stores and help fulfill its
expanded customer services, like shipping online purchases to stores,
this holiday.
That a nearly 13 percent jump
from the 40,000 seasonal workers the Wayne, N.J.-based company hired in
2011. Toys R Us, like many retailers, hires thousands of temporary
workers during the important holiday season, which can account for up to
40 percent of a retailer's annual revenue.
Toys R Us said part of the
increase is to help fulfill customer orders made with its new online
shipping options, such as ordering online and picking up items in store;
as well as its free layaway program and its new toy reservation system.
Toys R Us has been beefing up these options to help draw customers into
stores, as it faces increasing competition from online retailers and
discount stores.
Workers will also staff seasonal
pop up stores. Toys R Us plans to open 150 to 200 temporary stores,
similar to the number it opened last year.
Some positions could become permanent. Last year, about 15 percent of holiday workers stayed on in full-time positions.
Hiring for a variety of positions in stores and at distribution centers begins this week and will continue through December.
Analysts study the holiday
hiring figures from retailers for clues about overall employment trends
and sales expectations for the holiday season. Stores typically begin to
hire for the holidays in mid-September and ramp up hiring in
mid-October.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc., in
Bentonville, Ark., said last week it expects to hire more than 50,000
people this holiday season, up slightly from last year, and will be
offering more hours to its existing employees.
In addition, department store
operator Kohl's said last week it will be hiring more than 52,700
people, up more than 10 percent from last year. Kohl's Corp., based in
Menomonee Falls, Wis., also expects to hire 5,700 people for jobs at its
distribution centers and 30 people for seasonal positions in its credit
operations business.
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On the web: Ruscareers.com
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2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not
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