The fourth-largest supermarket chain in Britain has announced expansion plans that would create thousands of new jobs over the next year.
Morrison Supermarket PLC said it will hire as many as 7,000 new workers when it opens 25 new stores across the U.K. in 2012.
Norman Pickavance, group human resources director at Morrisons, said the new workers will also be able to find opportunities for advancement within the company.
“At a time when the number of young and long-term unemployed continues to increase we will provide opportunities for many people and help them build a career in retailing,” Pickavance noted. “That means we won’t just be providing a job we’re committed to training our new colleagues so that they have the capability to move from the shop floor to the top floor.”
Meanwhile, U.K. supermarket giant Sainbury’s has also announced expansion plans.
The Leicester Mercury reports the company will spend millions of dollars to convert the former 19-acre General Electric lighting factory into a new store and retail development. The new store is expected to create between 400 and 500 jobs.