Amazon Aims to Hire 18,000 in Texas for Holiday Season as Joy Gift Shoppe Opens in Austin

Amazon Launches Holiday Hiring Blitz in Texas

Austin, Texas – As the busy 2024 holiday shopping season approaches, Amazon is ramping up its workforce by seeking to fill 250,000 full-time, part-time, and seasonal roles across the United States. In Texas alone, the company is looking to hire 18,000 individuals, with 1,000 of those positions located in Austin. Most of the jobs available in Texas are in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, but positions are also open in Houston and San Antonio.

These seasonal roles offer competitive pay, flexible schedules, and a chance to experience the excitement of working in retail during its busiest season of the year. Many of the roles, although not specifically listed, likely involve tasks related to packing and delivering packages, which has been Amazon’s foundation in the retail sector.

How to Apply

Those interested in applying can visit amazon.com/localjobs or simply text NEWJOB to 31432 for job alerts. The company will be posting open roles throughout the holiday season, so there will be plenty of opportunities for those looking for work.

Pay and Benefits

Seasonal employees at Amazon will earn a minimum of $18 per hour and will have access to comprehensive benefits starting from their first day of work. This includes health care coverage, with around one-third of seasonal employees opting to stay on for the long term, year after year. Those who continue with the company can also expect an average pay increase of 15 percent over their first three years.

In addition to competitive pay, Amazon offers a range of perks to its employees, such as:

• Career advancement opportunities
• Access to earned pay at any time
• Health, vision, and dental insurance from the first day on the job
• A 401(k) plan with company match
• Up to 20 weeks of paid pregnancy/parental leave for birth parents and six weeks for eligible supporting parents

Employees also enjoy an Amazon Prime employee discount and access to Amazon’s Resources for Living program, which provides mental health and financial services to employees and their families.

Joy Gift Shoppe Opens in Austin

Meanwhile, Austin is welcoming a fresh addition to its vibrant shopping scene with the debut of Joy Gift Shoppe. Longtime Austin resident Chris Mattsson will officially open her new store on October 3 on the charming Kerbey Lane.

This woman-owned shop, which previously operated at Castle Hill Fitness, now features a delightful selection of unique, handcrafted items from local artisans including greeting cards and gifts suitable for all occasions. Some of the brands available at the shop include A Kid’s Co., C’est Bon, Coral & Tusk, and Global Goods Partners.

Supporting Local Artisans

Joy Gift Shoppe aims to support the local creative community, offering a “joyful shopping experience.” In addition to the products on display, the store plans to host events, such as local artist showcases, pop-up shops, and holiday markets.

Mattsson expressed her enthusiasm by saying, “I love shopping in new cities and I am always happy to find a shop filled with beautiful wares, and one that reflects its hometown.” The store will serve as a platform for local talents and will introduce an Artist per Quarter program, showcasing a new artist every three months.

Grand Opening and Hours

Joy Gift Shoppe will be open from 10 am to 6 pm, Mondays through Fridays, and 9 am to 6 pm on weekends. To mark the grand opening, visitors can participate in a giveaway for a Doing Goods rug of their choice, along with a $100 store gift card. For more information, interested shoppers can check out joygiftshoppe.com.

With the holiday season on the horizon, both Amazon’s job openings and the launch of Joy Gift Shoppe provide significant opportunities for residents of Austin and beyond.