CINCINNATI — Macy’s Inc. on Monday said it plans to hire approximately 78,000 seasonal associates for its Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s stores, call centers, distribution centers and online fulfillment centers nationwide for the 2011 holiday season. The hiring plan represents an increase of about 4 percent from the approximately 75,000 seasonal associates hired for last year’s holiday season.

“Our seasonal associates serve customers on the selling floor, work behind the scenes in store operations positions, interact with customers via the telephone in call centers, and staff the distribution and fulfillment centers that coordinate shipments to our stores and directly to customers who buy online,” said Terry J. Lundgren, chairman, president and chief executive.

Most of the positions are part-time. Many positions require the applicant to work evenings, weekends or overnight. In some cases, temporary seasonal associates are offered open year-round positions based on their skills and performance over the holiday season.

The company has already begun hiring for sales support positions, such as in distribution centers and store receiving. Applications for other seasonal positions at Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s will be accepted beginning next week at www.macysJOBS.com and www.bloomingdalesJOBS.com. Candidates who submit applications online will receive a response via e-mail. Hiring for store sales positions will begin in mid-October.