Morrisons gave a boost to Gordon Brown's jobs summit by announcing plans to create 5,000 jobs this year.
The Bradford-based group - the UK's fourth largest supermarket - currently has 117,000 staff across 382 stores.
Morrisons said the plans were in line with its previously-stated target of increasing selling space by one million square feet over three years.
Norman Pickavance, Morrisons human resources director, told the Press Association: "Even in these challenging economic conditions, Morrisons is committed to hiring and training new people to keep retail as the engine room of the economy and support our continuing growth."
Although specific job titles and locations are still to be confirmed it said 18,000 of its staff would be working towards some form of qualifications under the company's Fresh Food Academy scheme.
These include NVQs in retail, full apprenticeships for butchers, bakers and fishmongers, and optional key skills training in maths and English.
Rival Sainsbury's also said at its Christmas trading update last week that the group would create 4,000 jobs this year.
Iceland bought 51 stores from the administrators of collapsed retailer Woolworths last Friday with plans to create 2,500 jobs.
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