Lidl Creates 2,500 Jobs in £200m Investment Plan

Discount supermarket chain Lidl plans to create 2,500 jobs in the UK as part of a £200m investment programme.

The German retailer, which currently has 600 stores in the UK, also plans to increase the number of outlets to 620 by the end of 2014.

Lidl, whose workforce currently stands at 13,000, said the new jobs will be created across the board and will include new store roles at all levels as well as various Head Office roles for the company's HQ in Wimbledon.

"It's great news that Lidl is investing in thousands of new jobs across the UK – each job means security and a better future for another family and the country as a whole," said The Chancellor George Osborne.

"Our long-term economic plan is working, and as the economy is growing businesses up and down the country are feeling increasingly confident about creating jobs."

The expansion follows four years of growth in sales and profitability for Lidl in the UK.

Turnover was £3.3bn ($5.62bn, €4.12bn) in 2013 and sales have increased by 20% over the past year, helping to grow market share to a record 3.6% in June, up from 3% in 2013.

The latest round of investment comes on the back of a £170m investment in 2013, involving 12 new stores, 3,500 new staff and store refurbishments.

In September 2014, Lidl will also open its ninth regional distribution centre, thanks to a £80m investment, to support a surge in fresh product sales.

The Northfleet depot will create an additional 250 new jobs for local people.