UK retailer Sainsbury's has announced plans to further increase its convenience operation over the next three years, leading to the creation of some 10,000 jobs in the country.
The news came as Sainsbury's opened its 500th convenience outlet in the UK, and follows its half-year results in which its convenience business was reported to have grown 20 per cent year-on-year.
'Opening our 500th store is a real milestone in our plans to create a scale convenience business, said Simon Twigger, Sainsbury’s Director of Convenience. 'The business is going from strength to strength.
'Our stores often have upwards of 10,000 customers a week, mostly walking to the store, living or working nearby and making a huge contribution to regenerate high streets across the country,' he continued. 'Bringing our great food offer closer to hand, delivered with the service that Sainsbury's colleagues are known for, is a winning combination.'
Sainsbury's has plans to open one or two convenience stores each week in the UK, creating a number of new positions, and launched 49 in the first half of the year.
'The jobs announced today will range from managerial and team leader roles to customer service. Work in our convenience business is particularly fast-paced and flexible, with great opportunities for progression,' Twigger noted. 'It's one of the best possible starts to a career in retail and many of our convenience store managers have worked their way up into the role.
'We see people continuing to shop little and often, using local 'top up shops' to help them manage their budgets, reduce the need to travel to out of town retail parks and minimise the amount of food they waste.'
