More than 6,000 jobs will be created at Aldi shops across the UK as part of expansion plans, the company has announced.
New shops will be opened in Huddersfield and Shrewsbury within the next month, the German multinational said, while stores will be built in Norwich and Newcastle and two other locations.
At present, the chain is recruiting for 450 jobs at its 11 regional distribution centres around the UK.
About 40,000 people currently work for Aldi, which has more than 990 open shops.
Be the first to get Breaking News
Install the Sky News app for free
As cost of living pressures increased, the company became Britain’s fourth largest supermarket chain, overtaking Morrisons in the 12 weeks up to September.
Its market share grew to 9.3% compared with Morrison’s 9.1%, according to consumer insight company Kantar Worldpanel.
Demand for low-price goods was further demonstrated over the Christmas period when sales rose 10.6% in the four weeks to 24 December, compared to the same period a year ago.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Giles Hurley, the Aldi chief executive, said: “Demand for Aldi has never been higher.”
Analysis from consumer group Which? showed the average price of a shop at Aldi in January was £82.03.
Read more:
Cost of living latest – McDonald’s raises price of five popular items
Aldi promises to offer lowest prices despite big drop in profits
New store assistants at the supermarket receive starting pay of £11.00 an hour, the company said. Breaks are also paid for, it added.
Pay rates for around 7,000 warehouse staff have been increased, Aldi added, with employees receiving a minimum starting salary of £13.18 per hour.