More than 6,000 jobs will be created at Aldi shops across the UK as part of expansion plans, the company has announced.
New shops will be opened in Huddersfield and Shrewsbury within the next month, the German multinational said, while stores will be built in Norwich, Newcastle, Castle Donnington, Norwich, Porthcawl, Newcastle, Whittlesey, Staines Upon Thames, Slough and Southampton in the coming months.
At present, the chain is recruiting for 450 jobs at its 11 regional distribution centres around the UK.
About 40,000 people currently work for Aldi, which has more than 990 open shops.
As cost of living pressures increased, the company became Britain’s fourth largest supermarket chain, overtaking Morrisons in the 12 weeks up to September.
Its market share grew to 9.3% compared with Morrison’s 9.1%, according to consumer insight company Kantar Worldpanel.
Demand for low-price goods was further demonstrated over the Christmas period when sales rose 10.6% in the four weeks to 24 December, compared to the same period a year ago.
Giles Hurley, the Aldi chief executive, said: “Demand for Aldi has never been higher.”
Analysis from consumer group Which? showed the average price of a shop at Aldi in January was £82.03.
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New store assistants at the supermarket receive starting pay of £11.00 an hour, the company said. Pay rises to £11.90 and £12.75 – for those working inside the M25 – in employees fourth year of work. Breaks are also paid for, Aldi added.
Pay rates for around 7,000 warehouse staff have been increased, Aldi added, with employees receiving a minimum starting salary of £13.18 per hour.
