In Minnesota, the Menomonee Falls, Wis.-based retailer says it will hire more than 900 people at its two dozen stores in the state. The company says they're able to hire more employees than the last holiday season because of strong store growth.

The Richfield-based retailer announced a free-shipping offer for all online orders from Nov.1 thru Dec. 27. Best Buy offered a similar service last holiday season with some restrictions, but now the retailer will ship any item from their online inventory.

Minnesota-based Target Corp. is trimming back on its seasonal hires for the holidays. KARE 11 reports that the retail giant will hire anywhere from 80,000 to 90,000 seasonal workers this year, down from 92,000 in 2011. Walmart and Kohl's on the other hand, are increasing their seasonal work forces.

The cable company is adding 150 jobs in St. Paul, which is the second big hiring effort so far this year. In April, Comcast announced plans to hire 450 people for its Minnetonka facility. A company executive tells Twin Cities Business that many of those jobs are still open.

A poll from St. Cloud State likely means good news for college students. The biggest gainers will be education, retail and business services.

Finance and Commerce reports a slate of store openings are scheduled this holiday season, bringing the metro's retail vacancy rate to the lowest its been since 2008.