Winter Holidays

Cincinnati -- Macy’s Inc. said it plans to hire approximately 80,000 seasonal associates for its Macy's and Bloomingdale's stores, call centers, distribution centers and online fulfillment centers nationwide for the 2012 holiday season. This is an increase of about 2.5% from last year.

NEW YORK — Hess toy truck commercials are something most East Coast residents can remember from their childhood. Until now, however, the special holiday toys were only available at Hess stations.

Now people all over can get their hands on a Hess truck now that the company is offering them online via www.hesstoytruck.com. Preordering is available online starting Nov. 1.

CINCINNATI — Macy's Inc. joined the ranks of other retailers that have already announced plans to boost store staff during the holiday season.

New York -- Research released Monday by Citigroup and published by Wall Street Journal’s MarketWatch found that digital sales for the holiday 2012 shopping season are expected to increase at least 20%, thanks to two additional shopping days and amped-up retail marketing efforts.

The holiday season is competitive on many fronts, including which retailer plans to hire the most seasonal workers.

The outlook for Christmas spending is decent and Halloween is supposed to be pretty good too.

Deloitte is out with its holiday sales forecast (up 3.5%-4%) and soon other prognosticators will weigh in with their seasonal outlooks.

For now, Deloitte is a lone voice in late September projecting holiday sales will increase between 3.5% and 4%, noting that the economy's health and the presidential election are taking center stage with consumers this fall. Despite the distractions a modest increase is expected, but the gain will be below last year’s growth rate of 5.9%.

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. — Dollar General is promising big savings on toys -- right up until Christmas Eve. From Sept. 29 through Dec. 24, the retailer is offering a 10% discount on toy purchases of $75 or more.