Where the jobs are this holiday season

The holidays may bring a welcome gift to job-seekers.

Retailers are expected to hire more than 800,000 seasonal workers between November and January, which would the biggest seasonal hiring since the dot-com boom year of 1999, according to consulting firm Challenger Gray & Christmas.

The projected jump in hiring comes as the U.S. economy continues to slowly recover from the recession, and as retailers and delivery companies want to ensure they aren't understaffed. UPS (UPS) was dinged last holiday season when it underestimated demand for its shipping services, leading to delayed deliveries and unhappy customers.

"The last two years saw holiday hiring return to pre-recession levels. This year, we could see hiring return to levels not seen since the height of the dot-com boom," Challenger Gray chief executive John Challenger said in a statement.

Retail sales this holiday season are expected to rise 5 percent to $862.5 billion, while online sales will likely jump about 16.6 percent to $72.4 billion, according to eMarketer.

Retailers are "cautiously optimistic," with only about one-quarter expecting sales to rise more than five percent this holiday season, according to management consulting firm Hay Group. About 70 percent are expecting sales will be even with 2013, it found.

Businesses are "acting prudently. Though we've seen GDP jump by more than four percent in the second quarter, the same economic bump hasn't yet translated to the retail sector," said Hay Group retail practice leader Craig Rowley in a statement.

Aside for the boost in hiring marking good news for job-hunters, shoppers may also find some breaks, Hay Group said. That's because stores will be shifting sales to earlier in the holiday season, with many starting as soon as this month.

Brick-and-mortar retailers are taking note of the popularity of Amazon.com and other online sites, and may be planning on adding staff as a way to provide better service and lure customers through their doors.

Here are some of the companies that plan to hire this holiday season:

UPS (UPS): The shipping company says it will add as many as 95,000 seasonal workers, or almost double the temporary staffing it had last year when UPS dismayed customers by misjudging demand and delivering some packages late. Wages will start at $10 an hour, and job seekers can apply for seasonal jobs at UPSjobs.com.

FedEx (FDX): The company said it will hire more than 50,000 seasonal workers, up from 40,000 a year earlier. Like competitor UPS, it also was caught short-staffed last holiday season when more people shipped items from online retailers than expected.

Target (TGT): The retailer, which has been trying to lure customers back through its doors since its massive data breach late last year, plans to hire 70,000 seasonal workers, or about the same as last year.

Kohl's (KSS): The department store said it will add 67,000 seasonal workers this year, with each store adding about 50 additional associates, or about one-quarter more temporary staff than a year ago, according to The Associated Press. About 9,300 jobs will be added at its distribution centers.

Walmart (WMT): The U.S. retailing giant will hire 60,000 temp workers this holiday season, or about 10 percent more than a year earlier. It will also give current workers more hours if they request them, with the decision coming after labor groups had criticized the company for keeping workers' hours on the low side. About one-quarter of the temporary workers will continue on with permanent jobs.

JC Penney (JCP): The retailer will hire about 35,000 employees, or about even with last year, the Dallas Morning News reports.