Kohl's sees plenty of job seekers in Chattanooga, Dalton

Friday, January 1, 1904

photo Judi Durbin, seated, jewelry manager at Kohl's, greets prospective employees Wednesday during a jobs fair at Country Inn and Suites.

Kohl's expects at least 1,000 people will apply for the 130 jobs the giant retailer is trying to fill this week for its planned new Hixson store, an official said Wednesday.

"We're looking for people who are customer-centered," said David Lowrey, manager of the store that's slated to open next month off Highway 153.

Lowrey said a similar Kohl's job fair in Dalton, Ga., this week for a store opening there is drawing large numbers of applicants as well.

Kohl's said it needs employees for register operators, department associates, customer service, early morning freight unloaders and evening ad set associates.

He said in Chattanooga that about 1,000 people had scheduled times for interviews on Kohl's website or by calling its jobs line. While not all those will appear this week, Lowrey said, Kohl's officials expect to have between 100 and 120 walk-ins for the job fair that ends today.

Job-seeker Pam Craig, 24, of Chattanooga, said she currently has "a sit-down job" at a call center and would prefer one in which she's more active.

"I've been in retail since I was 16," she added, so a Kohl's position wouldn't be a big leap for her.

KOHL'S FOOTPRINTWisconsin-based Kohl's has 1,097 stores in 49 states as of last March, according to the company.

Student Ikey Lane, 23, also of Chattanooga, said he, too, has retail experience and the part-time job he's seeking will fit his schedule. He also cited the company's pay and benefits.

Lowrey declined to list pay for the jobs.

Kohl's, which sells mid-priced apparel, accessories and home decor, already has a unit on Gunbarrel Road in the Hamilton Place area. Shopping center developers in the Hixson area have been wooing retailers to open second Hamilton County stores in that market. Kohl's also has a store in Bradley County, Tenn.

Lowrey said the Kohl's store at The Fountains shopping center off Highway 153 in Hixson is slated to have a grand opening Sept. 28.