25,000 new jobs on offer at Aldi, Lidl, Co-op, Asda and Morrisons for coronavirus shopping surge

Hundreds of thousands of people are working from home, schools are closed and panic has sent the markets tumbling.

One sector however which is experiencing phenomenal demand and pressure is that of the supermarket industry.

Panic buying from shoppers is emptying their shelves faster than they can fill them and many are acting to limit the amount of certain items that individual customers can buy in one shop.

To cope, the grocery industry has launched a massive and unprecedented recruitment drive to cope with the demand.

In total 25,000 vacancies were advertised this week across the industry, a mixture of temporary and permanent roles covering everything from till assistants to warehouse staff.

Morrisons got the ball rolling with the announcement on Tuesday with the announcement of 3,500 new roles. As well as recruiting 2,500 pickers and drivers to expand home delivery, Morrisons will be recruiting around 1,000 people to work in the company’s distribution centres.

David Potts, Chief Executive of Morrisons, said: “We expect the days, weeks and months ahead to be very testing and we are determined to do our bit. These measures will support our very hard-working colleagues, enable us to provide more food to more people in their homes and create opportunities for people whose jobs are affected by the coronavirus.”

The Morrisons announcement was followed with the Co-operative announcing 5,000 vacancies across its 2,600 stores.

The Co-op added that staff in business support roles who are not currently working in stores or distribution centres are being encouraged to "lend-a-hand" in their local branches to help replenish shelves.

Next in line was Lidl with 2,500 jobs being offered. The discounter is looking for Stock Assistants on a four-week fixed term contract to start immediately, with wages starting from a competitive hourly rate of £9.30 - matching the Living Wage rates as recommended by the Living Wage Foundation.

Leeds-based Asda announced a range of measures to protect staff and customers, as well as revealing 5,000 vacancies throughout the business. Recognising the wider impact of Coronavirus on businesses, Asda has confirmed it will be paying its small suppliers immediately to help them keep their business operating and is to provide a ‘rent free’ quarter to around 250 small business tenants in its stores who are struggling to operate during these unprecedented times.

CEO and President Roger Burnley said: “During these difficult times everyone has to work together to help people most affected by Covid-19 and Asda is pleased to play its part. That is why today we have committed to hiring more than 5,000 employees who have lost their jobs due to Covid-19 and have been left with deep concerns about their household budgets.”

And finally, not to be outdone, Aldi confirmed 9,000 jobs - the largest of any of the grocers - would be advertised.

The jobs will total will consist of 5,000 new temporary jobs and has 4,000 permanent vacancies available across all parts of it business.