300 jobs as Aldi to open 20 stores

Discount grocery retailer Aldi is to create 300 jobs over the next three years.

Twenty shops are to be opened across the country, with 15 staff employed in each.

Niall O’Connor, group buying director of Aldi Stores (Ireland), said: “Our new multimillion-euro investment underpins our ongoing commitment and support to Ireland, our customers, staff and Irish suppliers, producers, and manufacturers.”

Aldi said shops are planned for East Wall Road in Dublin; Greystones, Co Wicklow; Tralee, Co Kerry; Ballybofey, Co Donegal; and Charleville in Co Cork.

The announcement was made as the company marked the opening of its 100th Irish store in Callan, Co Kilkenny.

Aldi said it had seen a 30.7% growth in sales for the 12-week period leading up to St Patrick’s Day this year, increasing its share of the Irish grocery market to about 6.2%.

“Since opening our first Irish stores in 1999 we have adopted a localised approach to sourcing our product range, building many long-lasting, mutually beneficial relationships with numerous Irish suppliers, some of whom we have traded with since the start of our operation in Ireland,” said Mr O’Connor.

“We have recruited over 60 new suppliers in the last five years effectively doubling our Irish supply base. As we continue to open more new stores and expand our presence throughout the country there will be more and more opportunities for Irish suppliers to work with us.”