GameStop to hire 450 holiday workers on Long Island

Video game retailer GameStop will hire up to 450 seasonal workers on Long Island in the coming weeks as the chain prepares for the upcoming holiday shopping season.

GameStop, headquartered in Grapevine, Texas, said it plans to hire more than 28,000 workers nationwide through the end of October, an increase of about 12 percent compared with the 2014 holiday season.

The retailer expects to hire about 12 to 20 associates per store at those located inside malls. For stores in strip shopping centers, it plans to hire about six to 10 associates per store. There are 46 GameStop stores on Long Island.

The seasonal, part-time jobs will begin Oct. 18 and run through Jan. 8, with schedules ranging from 10 to 25 hours a week. All seasonal hires will receive a 15 percent discount off select merchandise purchases at GameStop. Interested applicants can apply at careers.gamestop.com.

The company is betting bigger than many other retailers. Several major chains that have announced holiday hiring plans are maintaining last year's levels or cutting back.

Walmart said it plans to hire more than 60,000 seasonal associates nationwide, the same number as last year.

Macy's, which also owns Bloomingdale's, plans to hire about 85,000, slightly less than the 86,000 projected last year.

Toys R Us plans to hire 40,000, down from 45,000 last holiday season.

Like GameStop, Kohl's has gone against the current trend and plans to hire more than 69,000 seasonal employees, up slightly from 67,000 in the 2014 holiday season.