Amazon plans to hire 250,000 US workers for holiday season

FILE PHOTO: An Amazon delivery worker sorts packages out for delivery during Amazon's two-day "Prime Early Access Sale" shopping event for Amazon members, in the financial district of New York City, U.S., October 11, 2022. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo

NEW YORK, NY (Reuters) -Amazon said it plans to add 250,000 U.S. workers for the holiday shopping season, 67% more than the number of people it hired for the past two years, as it scrambles to expand next-day delivery for shoppers.

Amazon's plans contrast with other U.S. retailers, who say they will hire fewer people in stores and warehouses this year on expectations for reduced consumer spending in 2023. Forecasters expect holiday sales to come in at half of last year's rate due to concerns about higher prices.