SUPERMARKET chain Lidl is planning to create 600 additional jobs across Ireland in the next two years in a €110 million (£93 million) expansion.
The German-headquartered company credits rising sales and market shares for the ambitious announcement.
Currently Lidl has the fourth largest share of the supermarket business in the south at 11.2 per cent, according to consumer research company Kantar.
SuperValu, Tesco and Dunnes Stores occupy the top three with shares just over 20 per cent.
Lidl already has 146 stores which employ 4,000 staff across Ireland, and is currently building new stores at six locations including Swords and Cabra in Dublin, and Virginia in Cavan.
The 600 jobs will not just be confined to the shop floor, with positions being offered up in management, warehouse and administrative divisions.
Lidl’s HR director Maeve McCleane said the move was a sign of the brand’s success.
"Lidl is now recognised as a leading employer of significant scale in Ireland and with that brings a wealth of opportunities for ambitious and dynamic people,” she said.
"As an employer we believe in the importance of committing to our staff by providing a supportive work environment with training and development in all areas to help everyone achieve their full potential."
Lidl has also recently began to move in to a wider market with the construction of new concept stores, the like of which can be seen in its Gorey, Wexford branch.
These new stores aim to cater for middle-class customers by moving away from the low-cost label that has been their trademark.
