Amazon's big festive staffing plan

More help-wanted signs and signs of strength at Amazon. The online retailer says it'll hire more than 120,000 temporary workers this holiday season. That's 20 percent more than last year. The new hires will be staffing its warehouses, sortation centers and customer service sites.

Amazon's plans mark a sharp contrast to the cautious staffing scenarios at traditional retailers. Target, Macy's and Kohl's plan to hire fewer or around the same number of seasonal workers as last year. They've been battling with Amazon, which has made big strides in sales of fashion items.

Neil Saunders, CEO of retail research firm Conlumino, said, "It says one thing: Amazon expects to have a bumper holiday period. Amazon was previously lackluster (in fashion) but they've put a lot of effort in brands they stock and advertising and marketing. When you look at retail as a whole, there are few categories Amazon isn't undermining now."

Looking ahead, Amazon expects it'll increase the number of temp workers who will transition to full-time jobs.