// Aldi launches hunt for 9000 new workers and increases charity support
// It is the biggest recruitment drive from a UK grocer yet
// Lidl & Asda both announced their own hunt for workers today, but together they’re offering 7500 jobs
Aldi has launched possibly the biggest recruitment drive among all of the UK’s grocers as part of the sector’s efforts to meet the surge in demand during the coronavirus pandemic.
The discount German grocer said it has 9000 jobs on offer in total – 5000 of which are new temporary jobs alongside 4000 permanent vacancies.
It added that the vacancies pertain to roles in every one of its stores and distribution centres.
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The news from Aldi makes it the biggest recruitment drive yet from a UK grocer during the coronavirus crisis.
It also comes after Asda and German rival Lidl both announced their own hunt for temporary workers earlier today – although their combined total amounts to 7500 new jobs.
Nonetheless, when all three grocers’ recruitment drives are combined, it amounts to a whopping 16,500 new jobs announced in just one day.
It follows similar moves from the Co-op, Morrisons, Tesco, Iceland and Waitrose earlier this week, as supermarkets go in overdrive to expand their workforce to cope with the extra demand from people in self-isolation and panic-buying.
Morrisons and the Co-op alone are seeking a total of 8500 new workers – 3500 for the Big 4 grocer and 5000 for the Co-op.
Meanwhile, non-food and office staff from John Lewis have been encouraged to help their shop floor colleagues at stablemate Waitrose, as have M&S clothing and home staff for their M&S food colleagues.
Unlike its competitors though, Aldi did not make it clear if their job vacancies were targeted towards individuals or local residents whose jobs have been affected by the pandemic.
In addition, to cope with increased demand, the discount grocer said all nappies and paper products, like toilet and kitchen roll, will be cut to two items per customer.
All other products will remain restricted to four items per customer, with the exception of some non-food goods, Easter products and flowers.
Aldi also announced an increased financial donation to Neighbourly, which distributes surplus food and other donations to those in need.
It donated a further £100,000 to the Teenage Cancer Trust, and £250,000 to Age UK.
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