UK retailer Sainsbury’s has announced a programme of expansion across the North of England that will create around 5,000 jobs.
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The supermarket giant has tasked its regional property team with delivering “substantial growth” in the North. The team is tasked with a 10% increase in new stores across the North of England, which has involved expanding the unit.
“While many companies are looking to scale back their expansion activities at the moment, we are committed to a long-term programme of expansion in the North of England, and have beefed up our property team to help deliver this programme,” said Joanne Try, regional development executive for the North of England.
“Our research has identified the North as a key target for expansion for Sainsbury’s, as there are many areas where money is being lost from local economies when people are forced to travel away from the local area to do their weekly food shop. Bringing a Sainsbury’s to the area will not only boost the local job markets but will strengthen the local economy at a time when it is greatly needed.”
Sainsbury’s has 84 stores located across the North East, North West, Yorkshire and Humber. Asked whether Morrisons’ stronghold in the North had anything to do with Sainsbury’s expansion plans, Try said the retailer was only interested in sites where there is a need for a new store, based on customer surveys and market research.
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By GlobalData‘Sainsbury’s has a three-year target to increase floorspace by 10% across the UK. There are still many parts of northern England where customers do not have sufficient access to a local Sainsbury’s,” Try told just-food.
Earlier this month, the retailer announced that it would look to create around 2,000 jobs in the next year after revealing its recent sales growth had continued during the autumn and Christmas.
Try confirmed the job numbers announced today are a “projected” figure based on the North of the UK only.
