Amazon plans to hire 250,000 transportation and warehouse workers this holiday shopping season, according to a Reuters report. This is “the same number as last year, as e-commerce spending is expected to outpace overall holiday sales in the final quarter of 2024,” Reuters said.

"Although there is an anticipated increase in the demand and the volume, we feel like the 250,000 is the right number to continue to grow and advance with our operations," said Sandy Gordon, vice president of global operations employee experience at Amazon.

Reuters reported that “it was unclear what percentage of the 250,000 seasonal workers, which include staff in sort centers, fulfillment centers, and delivery stations, would be in fulfillment centers or transport employees. The transport employees will not include delivery service partners or their teams, according to a company spokesperson.”

On its website, Amazon wrote: “We’re also looking forward to welcoming back many familiar faces—each season we see many individuals come back year after year to be a part of the holiday season here at Amazon. In fact, nearly one-third of people who have come to work at Amazon as a holiday hire return. Whatever someone’s personal circumstances may be, Amazon has an opportunity for them.”

U.S. employers added 254,000 jobs and the unemployment rate ticked down to 4.1 percent in September, signaling strength in the labor market heading into the height of the election season, according to the Washington Post.

“The past several months of steady job growth have been plenty enough to keep the American labor market firmly out of recession territory, economists say, especially as GDP growth remains hardy, productivity is strong and consumers continue to spend,” reported the Post.

Target will tack on 100,000 workers for the season, which is also flat year over year.