// Aldi aims to create 4000 new jobs this year
// It called for those affected by the collapse of the Arcadia and Debenhams retail empires to apply
// The collapse of the two retail empires are thought to have affected around 25,000 jobs
Aldi has said it aims to create 4000 new jobs across the UK this year and has urged those affected by the collapse of the Arcadia and Debenhams retail empires to apply.
The German discount grocer, which recently announced it would create the jobs as part of a two-year £1.3 billion investment in new and upgraded stores and distribution centres, said today that it would “very much welcome” applications from those recently employed by Debenhams and Sir Philip Green’s Arcadia Group.
The collapse of the two retail empires are thought to have affected around 25,000 jobs up and down the UK.
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Between 10,000-12,000 staff at Debenhams are set to lose their jobs after the department store’s brand, product assets and ecommerce operations were acquired by Boohoo Group last week – meaning all its 118 of its stores are going to shut down once the liquidation process ends.
So far only about half of Arcadia has been rescued, but like Debenhams, only the brand, product assets and websites for Topshop, Topman, Miss Selfridge, HIIT were bought by Asos today, leaving their stores shut for good. The move has affected 2500 jobs.
Burton, Wallis and Dorothy Perkins continue to remain up for grabs, while Evans’ was bought Australian business City Chic in December.
When Arcadia fell into administration in December, it placed 13,000 jobs on the line.
Aldi said it hopes to offer long-term retail roles to thousands who have lost their jobs as a result of the two high street giants’ collapses.
“We are currently opening an average of one new store a week as we continue to try to meet the huge demand for amazing quality food at unbeatable prices that shoppers can only get at Aldi,” Aldi UK recruitment director Kelly Stokes said.
“That means finding around 4000 new Aldi colleagues this year and, if we can do that while also helping those who have recently lost out due to closures elsewhere, we will do.”
Aldi staff are one of the best-paid in the UK grocery sector and is also one of the only supermarkets to offer paid breaks.
From today, all of its 30,000 store assistants are paid a minimum of £9.55 an hour, or £11.07 inside the M25.
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