Amazon declined to say how many workers from its home office were being sent to wrap gifts and ship orders in its facilities in Fernley, Nev., which is about 40 miles east of Reno. The temporary relocations started out as a voluntary effort to help meet order demand. When the need went unmet, the company started assigning individuals with some flexibility in their schedules. Amazon wouldn't elaborate on the issues it was facing. With the U.S. unemployment rate treading near a 28-year low, some companies can't hire enough staff to keep businesses running smoothly.
Retailers are especially sensitive to hiring squeezes during the holidays.
Fingerhut division, which ships packages for some online firms, told Reuters last Friday that it too was having trouble hiring enough seasonal workers. Online retailers have been gearing up for the holiday blitz for months. Amazon has been more aggressive than most, building 3 million square feet in distribution centers to house books, CDs and other stocking stuffers. The worst of it should be over well ahead of Christmas. At some point, the purchases shift from actual gifts to gift certificates, which won't require staff at the distribution centers, says Curry.