Jobs boost as Tesco creates 200 roles across Ireland amid strong ‘growth phase’

The company, which has operated in Ireland since 1997 and employs around 13,500 people, is currently in a “growth phase”, according to Maurice Kelly, people director for Tesco Ireland.

“We’re growing our store footprint and adding 200 roles to our expanding store estate,” he said.

“These roles provide a great opportunity for retail job seekers to find a route into a brand-new career, or maybe back to the workplace, with fully flexible banded-hour contracts in their local communities up and down the country.”

UK firm said it had spent £70m (€81m) in Ireland on eight new store openings and an extensive store refits

This month, Tesco added four new stores to its estate, opening stores in Blanchardstown and Townsend Street, Dublin, Gandon Court, Portlaoise and Kileely Road, Limerick. A new store also opened in Tallaght recently, bringing its total store number to a record 175.

Further stores will open in the coming weeks and months, including across Dublin city and county and a second store in Kilkenny.

Roles in four of the stores opened in April have been filled. In the coming weeks, additional roles will be made available on a phased basis.

Tesco has invested significantly in its Irish business in recent years. During a recent call with investors, the UK-listed supermarket group said it had spent £70m (€81m) in Ireland on eight new store openings and an extensive store refit and refurbishment programme during its most recent financial year.

Kelly said Tesco had yet to encounter significant difficulties attracting new employees

While Kelly wouldn’t confirm any figure regarding investment for Tesco’s current programme of new store openings and upgrades, he said the group was firmly committed to Ireland and looked forward to serving many new communities in the years ahead.

With hiring for the future in mind for Tesco, has it been affected by the current tightness in the labour market? The country is close to full employment, which has created conditions where it can be challenging for some employers to find staff.

However, according to Kelly, Tesco has yet to encounter significant difficulties attracting new employees.

Total Irish sales rose 8.5pc at constant rates across the financial year

Tesco reported a jump in profits in the year to February 24 as the grocery giant recorded sales growth across all markets.

The retailer reported that its total adjusted operating profit rose 12.8pc to £2.8bn. Total Irish sales rose 8.5pc at constant rates across the financial year, including a 1.7 percentage points contribution from new stores.