Aldi, the German discount supermarket chain, plans on creating approximately 35,000 new jobs in the UK. The company announced a £600m investment plan, which would nearly double the number of stores across the UK to around 1,000.
In a statement the company said:
‘This includes plans to create at least one apprenticeship position per store, per year, which would see the employment of between 600 – 1,000 apprentices each year as Aldi strives towards 1,000 stores,’
‘Apprentice training and development will be supported by a new Apprenticeship Academy located at Aldi’s offices and distribution centre in Bolton, which is due to open in March 2015.’
Aldi said that the new jobs include management roles and regional distribution centre roles at the chain’s stores and corporate offices.
Aldi is planning a massive expansion in the UK.
Matthew Barnes, group managing director of Aldi UK, said:
“Our expansion plans mean that we can accommodate growing shopper numbers, while ensuring that there is an Aldi store only a short drive away from people, no matter where they live in the country,”
“We are opening our doors across the UK, making it even easier for people to shop and save with us.”
The UK’s ‘Big Four’ supermarket chains have experienced trouble over the past year, struggling to secure their market share.
Discount chains such as Aldi are seizing the opportunity to grab as much market share as they can and capitalize on the problems the Big Four are having.
Aldi’s grocery market share is currently at 4.8%. However, as more families look for cheaper shopping options, discount stores such as Aldi will likely attract more and more people, while Tesco and Sainsbury’s cut prices and struggle to try and compete.
On Monday David Cameron visited Aldi’s UK headquarters and said the company’s plans were a ‘vote of confidence’ to the government’s economic policy.
Mr. Cameron said:
“Aldi’s plans to create tens of thousands more jobs across the country are a vote of confidence in our long-term economic plan to back business, create more jobs and secure a brighter future for Britain,”
Adding:
“This news will mean more financial security for hardworking families and opportunities for young people who want to get on in life.”