Target Corp. TGT -1.37% said it would increase by 40% the number of temporary workers it hires for the key holiday selling season, kicking off the annual scramble among retailers and delivery firms to staff stores and distribution centers. 
 
 The Minneapolis-based chain is hiring approximately 100,000 seasonal workers, compared with the 70,000 hires last year. In addition, it will employ 4,500 workers at its distribution and fulfillment centers to replenish products to stores and fulfill digital sales throughout the season. 
 
 Last year, it hired 7,500 for its distribution centers because it had opened three new facilities.
– Target is increasing the number of people it hires to work during the holidays by 40%, to 100,000. The Minneapolis retailer said Wednesday that the seasonal hires, up 30,000 from 70,000 people it hired last year, will stock shelves at its more than 1,800 stores or fulfill online orders that customers pick up in stores, per the AP. In addition, it plans to hire 4,500 people to help pack and ship online orders at its warehouses. The company has seen online orders soar after it strengthened its online business and offered faster delivery. Last month, the company said online sales jumped 32% during the second quarter. Rival Walmart also reported a surge in online orders during a similar period. Target said it will hold nationwide "hiring events" from Oct. 13 through Oct. 15 to interview candidates. The company employs about 323,000 people overall, well below Walmart's 1.5 million, notes the Wall Street Journal.