Growing Aldi is to take on 700 staff

ALDI is to step up its assault on struggling supermarkets such as Tesco by hiring an army of 700 recruits seeking a career in discount retail.

The fast-growing German discounter is advertising for deputy store managers, who would start on a ‘market-leading’ salary of £8.95 per hour, rising to £10.50.

Aldi, which is nipping at the heels of Waitrose to become Britain’s sixth largest supermarket, said rapid growth had left hundreds of vacancies at 536 UK stores.

The starting salary of £8.95 an hour, compared to a minimum wage that rises to £6.50 from October, will be topped up with an extra £3.95 when covering for higher-ranking Aldi staff.

Aldi also said recruits could move through the ranks quickly.

The next level up from deputy store manager, confusingly titled assistant store manager, commands a salary bracket of between £23,700 and £34,000.

A retail industry source said that compares with a range of between £25,000 and £27,000 at Asda. Aldi’s plan is partly informed by a survey of youngsters between 18 and 30, 48pc of whom said that a decent salary would remove their reservations about working in retail.

Some 74pc said that the opportunity for career progression was just as important as salary.

‘We’re looking to attract applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds, including those with relevant retail or management experience,’ said regional managing director James Hutcheson.