Sainsbury’s will create 10,000 new jobs in its convenience stores over the next three years, it announced yesterday (21 Nov). The news coincides with the opening of the UK retailer’s 500th Sainsbury's Local convenience store in Southsea, Hampshire.
The new positions will range from customer service to managerial positions in smaller convenience and local stores where Sainsbury’s has gained over half a million extra customers since the start of 2012.
“Work in our convenience business is particularly fast-paced and flexible, with great opportunities for progression,” business unit director, Simon Twigger said. “Opening our 500th store is a real milestone in our plans to create a scale convenience business. We make sure we recruit locally. Our colleagues, like our customers, are local people committed to serving the local community,” he added.
Sainsbury’s has opened 49 convenience stores in the first half of 2012, which has contributed to a 20 per cent year-on-year growth in its convenience business. The retailer aims to open one to two smaller stores per week in the New Year.
In addition, Sainsbury’s CEO, Justin King, announced plans last week to create 20,000 temporary roles to meet customer demands over the Christmas period.
The Sainsbury’s focus is not all on small stores, however. A whopper 72,000 sq ft store was recently opened in Kings Lynn, Norfolk, and is one of the retailer's most eco–friendly units. Employing 400 people, the store boasts shelf-space for Sainsbury’s portfolio of own-label brands such as ‘Taste the Difference’ and ‘Be Good to Yourself’.
The Sainsbury’s management are feeling pretty bullish about 2013. The growth of the business has been very positive in 2012 and they tell us they’re hoping for a cracking Christmas. (22 Nov)
© 2012 - ESM: European Supermarket Magazine
