FREEPORT — L.L. Bean Inc. plans to hire 4,500 seasonal workers this year, down slightly from the roughly 4,700 workers added last year, as it gears up for the busy holiday shopping season.

Some seasonal workers start in the summer to handle the Maine tourist season, while some others start in September. All the seasonal workers will be on board by the end of October or the beginning of November, said L.L. Bean spokeswoman Carolyn Beem.

The majority of seasonal employees will work in customer service or call centers, while the rest will work in distribution facilities and manufacturing centers to make the iconic Bean Boots and tote bags, Beem said.

L.L. Bean has 4,500 year-round employees, Beem said.