Macy's Inc. plans to hire about 85,000 seasonal workers for temporary jobs ahead of the holidays to meet expected higher demand. That is about the same as a year ago. The announcement comes as other retailers announce their hiring plans ahead of the holiday season.

The positions will be filled at Macy's and Bloomingdale's stores, call centers, distribution centers and online fulfillment centers nationwide. About 12,000 of the 85,000 total seasonal positions will be based in direct-to-consumer fulfillment facilities that support sales generated by the company's omnichannel business strategy. About 1,600 people will be hired to interact with customers via telephone, email and online chat at customer service centers.

More than 1,000 people will be hired across the country to support the 88th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Santalands and other iconic holiday events. Cincinnati, Ohio-based Macy's employs about 166,900 people on a year-round basis.