Home Depot has begun hiring 80,000 people for what it expects to be a busy spring season. "Spring is our peak hiring season, giving us the opportunity to find some of the best associates who are passionate about customer service," Tim Crow, executive vice president for human resources, said in a statement Wednesday. The company said applicants must apply online. Home Depot is the world's largest home improvement specialty retailer, with 2,263 retail stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Canada and Mexico.