Aldi boosts headcount by 4,000 in expansion drive

Aldi said it was undertaking its largest ever recruitment and training drive in the UK in order to capitalise on its continued strong growth.

The UK's fifth largest supermarket said it would hire 4,000 new staff across its stores and redistribution centres.

The retailer had more than doubled its market share since 2010, posting sales growth of 18.7% for the 12 weeks ended 18 June 2017, giving it a market share of 6.9%, according to the latest Kantar Worldpanel data.

The grocer's intention was to open around 70 stores in 2017, adding that it remained on course to meet its goal of 1,000 stores by 2022.

"The success of Aldi in the UK is due to the hard work and commitment of our employees, and they are crucial to our future expansion plans", said Matthew barnes, chief executive officer for Aldi UK and Ireland.

Aldi also highlighted that it the highest paying grocer in Britain, offering a employees a minimum salary of £8.53 an hour nationally and £9.75 if they were working in London.

That was higher than the national living wage rate of £7.20 and the Living Wage Foundtaion's recommended base rate of £8.25.