Kohl’s announced this week it anticipates hiring more than 52,700 associates nationwide this holiday season, up more than 10 percent from last year to support holiday business in stores and growth in e-commerce in 2012.

That’s 41 associates per store, an increase of four percent over 2011, to provide shoppers with customer service throughout the holiday season at its 1,146 stores nationwide, according to a press release from the company.

The company also “anticipates” hiring approximately 5,700 seasonal positions at distribution centers and more than 30 seasonal credit operations positions, the press release also states.

The Roanoke Kohl’s location opened last September.

“…commitment to deliver on our customer promise to expect great things is especially important during the holiday season, and we are pleased to be hiring more than 52,700 associates across the country to help our customers and support our stores during this busy time,” ” said John Worthington, Kohl’s chief administrative officer.

Seasonal associates can work anywhere from a few hours to more than 20 hours per week. Typical store jobs include unloading trucks, freight processing, stocking and cash register duties, the release states.

Hiring began this month, and most jobs will be filled by mid-November.

Holiday positions are also being filled at the company’s distribution centers, where hiring began in August. Associates working at distribution centers ensure Kohl’s products get to the retail stores and into the hands of Kohls.com customers. Associates working in Kohl’s credit operations perform a variety of jobs including assisting customers with Kohls.com orders.

Hiring levels at specific locations will vary depending on the business needs of each facility. For information about employment opportunities with Kohl’s: www.KohlsCareers.com.