Discount retailers Aldi and Lidl both announced huge hiring initiatives in the past week which include many permanent positions as the Christmas season approaches.
Aldi is seeking around 3,000 workers, two-thirds of whom will be needed in stores as they ramp up for what they say will be its “biggest ever” festive period in December. In addition, more than 850 positions – from warehouse selectors and logistics assistants to lorry drivers will be needed at their 11 distribution centres.
“We’re recruiting more people than ever to support the growing number of customers that are switching to Aldi,” said Kelly Stokes, recruitment director. “Our amazing colleagues play a vital role in keeping our shelves stocked year-round.”
Meanwhile, Lidl is looking for about 1,000 permanent hourly workers, both full- and part-time in the run-up to Christmas and beyond. Touting being “the highest paying supermarket in the UK,” Lidl GB needs customer assistants, cleaners and warehouse operatives. New hires will receive a minimum of £10.90 an hour outside of London and £11.95 inside the M25. Store assistants at Aldi earn a minimum hourly rate of up to £10.50 nationally and £11.95 inside the M25 while offering paid breaks.
“As our customer base continues to grow, and as we open more new stores and warehouses, we need more people to join team Lidl,” Nan Gibson, Lidl GB’s Chief HR Officer said. “Not only will new colleagues be the highest paid in the industry as a result of our newly increased rates, they also be part of an amazing team of people that are working to help make good food accessible to all households, at a time that is so needed.”
Lidl is not only touting those wage numbers but also the fact that its sales increases have been the best among all UK supermarkets, with a nearly 21% grown in the 12-week runup to 4 September. It is their best performance in eight years, showing the power of the discounter in this high inflation period. It opened three more new stores in Alperton, Oxford and Gillingham and like Aldi it is growing so much it is reaching out for additional workers that includes their own distribution warehouse in Belvedere. The signature Luton facility is also being launch next year.
Tesco makes bold move to compete with discounters: In what it calls “an inflation-busting move,” supermarket chain Tesco announced it is holding the line on more than 1,000 everyday items until the beginning of next year.
“We know times are tough for many customers right now, particularly as we head into the winter months,” said Tesco chief executive Jason Tarry. “We hope this extended price-lock commitment gives our customers the certainty of knowing that over a thousand household favourites will stay at the same great price for months to come – helping them budget when they need it most.”
Many of the products are shelf-based and for the cupboards and not fresh items.
In November, Tesco will be increasing the pay for its store colleagues to £10.30, and £10.98 in London, so still behind the two discount retail chains though they have risen by almost 8%.
