Lidl pledges to create 4,000 new jobs by 2025

SUPERMARKET Lidl has revealed its attempts to dominate large swathes of UK high streets will continue at pace with the creation of 4,000 new jobs over the next three years.

Bosses said they expect to reach their target of having 1,000 stores by 2023 and set a new ambition for 1,100 sites by 2025.

The move comes as the grocer published its accounts for the year to end of February at Companies House, showing how it benefited during the pandemic from its position as an “essential” retailer.

Sales jumped 12% to £7.7bn and pre-tax profits hit £9.8m after a £25.2m loss a year earlier, according to the accounts.

Lidl is privately owned, meaning it does not need to publish more up-to-date sales data, unlike its stock market-listed rivals.

Bosses said they opened 55 stores during the first year of the pandemic and spent £17.5m on boosting staff pay, including £8m on hourly wage hikes and £9.5m on bonuses during the Covid-19 crisis.