U.S. retailers are expected to add up to 600,000 people to their employment rolls between now and December. Target alone will hire 50,000 to 80,000 seasonal workers. Retail staffs increase an average of 5% during the holidays, but some stores boost employee rolls by as much as 50%, a number to keep in mind when you encounter befuddled or blank stares at the cash register. (USA Today 10/23/07)