Retail roundup: more seasonal jobs, holiday gift survey, new H&M store and more

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-- Amazon.com plans to hire more than 15,500 people to fill temporary jobs during holidays, joining several major retailers who have announced similar plans.

-- According to the 2010 Visa Gift Giving Survey, 42% of consumers still have at least one unopened or unused holiday gift sitting in the back of their closet from the last holiday season. Thirty-eight percent admitted to returning at least one gift from the last holiday season and 28% admitted to re-gifting at least one gift from the last holiday season.

-- Cheap chic retailer H&M continued its aggressive Southern California expansion, opening a store at Citadel Outlets in Commerce this week. The store offers women’s, men’s and children’s apparel, with separate sections for denim, accessories, maternity and lingerie.

-- Westfield Valencia Town Center has opened its Shops at the Patios.

-- Nike has set in motion a plan to expand its global retail foothold by opening 250 to 300 new stores over the next five years.

-- Wal-Mart isn’t the only one offering free shipping deals this holiday season. Other retailers, too, have concentrated recently on bringing the cost of shipping down for consumers. Williams-Sonoma offers a program in which shoppers pay an annual fee of $30 for free standard shipping on most items with no minimum purchase. JCPenney is offering free home shipping on orders of $69 or more and L.L.Bean is giving customers free shipping with no minimum order through Dec. 20.

-- Andrea Chang