Macy's to hire 80,000 seasonal workers - KATV - Breaking News, Weather and Razorback Sports

(CNN) - Macy's is ramping up its hiring for this year's holiday shopping season.

The retailer says it plans to bring on 80,000 seasonal workers. That's up from last year when the company hired 78,000 people. The extra workers are needed to staff sales floors, store operations and call centers, as well as shipping centers for online orders.

Toys 'R Us and Kohl's also recently announced plans to hire on more seasonal workers than in recent years.

Retailers are preparing for Black Friday, one of the most important shopping days of the year and a critical barometer of the consumer-driven economy.