Aldi to create 2,000 jobs across the UK
The supermarket chain are set to open 100 more UK stores
Supermarket giant Aldi are investing £1.3 billion to create 2,000 new jobs across 100 UK stores following a soaring rise in sales throughout 2020.
The supermarket chain also said that it's expansion across the UK will include a new 1.3 million sq ft site in Leicestershire and a check-out free store in Greenwich, London.
The check-out free store will use a mixture of artificial intelligence, cameras and sensors to charge customers as they shop.
The investment follows a 10.2% rise in sales across the UK and Ireland in 2020, equating at a staggering £12.2 billion.
Giles Hurley, chief executive for Aldi UK and Ireland, said: "As well as delivering record sales, we continued to invest for growth, deploying over £600 million in stores and distribution centres across the UK.
"This helped to create thousands of much-needed jobs and support for British farmers and manufacturers.
"Whilst the cost of responding to the pandemic dampened profits, our decision to return business rate relief was the right thing to do."
Aldi is currently the fifth largest supermarket, employing about 38,000 staff across its 920 grocery stores, with 7,000 of those permanent roles being created in the last two years.
The German supermarket chain has also announced that its click and collect services have been rolled out to 200 stores, offering shoppers the chance to order online for the first time, although home deliveries are still not available.
Has Aldi been affected by product availability?
The retailer's chief executive officer also said it was facing "tighter" product availability, stating that: "It's difficult to believe that anyone could be immune from the supply challenges we are seeing, but our business is pretty unique and ultimately well positioned to deal with these issues because of our reduced number of suppliers and smaller range."
The supermarket chain confirmed it has also seen disruption to supply of some Specialbuy "middle aisle" items, due to production disruption in East Asia because of pandemic restrictions and the impact of shipping.
Aldi have also said they have improved their pay for HGV drivers, where there has been a shortage in the sector.
Despite a slight disturbance with supply, Aldi's low prices have been reassured, as Mr Hurley said: "we will always ensure that customers get the lowest prices in Aldi, whatever happens."