Macy's Inc. expects to hire about 80,000 seasonal workers this holiday season, a 2.5 percent increase from the 78,000 workers it hired in 2011. The Cincinnati-based company operates Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s stores. Seasonal workers will staff stores, call centers, distribution centers and online fulfillment centers, and many positions will be part-time. Macy's employs a staff of about 175,000 on a year-round basis.

Toys R Us  announced plans to hire 45,000 seasonal workers for the upcoming holiday shopping period, up from 40,000 last year.

Midwestern retailer Meijer will hire 12,000 new team members for the 2012 holiday season. The Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer operates 199 supercenters and grocery stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky.