FDBusiness.com

Tesco has announced that it will create 20,000 new jobs in the UK over the next two years through a significant investment in customer service, refreshing existing stores and opening new ones. At the heart of the investment programme, Tesco plans to deliver new levels of excellence in customer service across its stores. Starting immediately, Britain’s top retailer will invest significantly in additional staff hours and training to boost the customer experience – including on fresh produce, fresh meat, bakery and the counter services that customers value the most.

The new jobs announcement also reflects a substantial programme to refresh hundreds of existing stores, improving space and layout and the overall shopping experience, as well as opening new stores. In strengthening its customer service team by 20,000 new recruits, Tesco expects to focus on giving opportunities to young people currently unemployed. As well as providing a crucial first rung on the career ladder for each individual, this move will be a major step in tackling the current record levels of youth unemployment.

Tesco will also give young people the opportunity to carry on learning by expanding its apprenticeship programme to provide 10,000 apprenticeships, with a significant proportion for new starters. The measures mark the first stage in Tesco’s planned new investment in its UK business.

“At the core of this investment is our determination to deliver the best shopping experience for our customers, bar none. We will invest in more staff on the sales floor at busy times, greater expertise and help in the crucial areas of fresh food, and enhanced quality and service across our stores at all times,” comments Richard Brasher, chief executive of Tesco UK. “To deliver this we’re going to strengthen our customer service team – 20,000 more staff across our stores over the next two years.”

Tesco is the UK’s largest private sector employer with over 290,000 staff, and 70,000 young people under the age of 25 – a quarter of its workforce.

Facing stiff competition from rivals, Tesco’s share of the UK grocery market slipped to 29.7% – its lowest level since May 2005 – according to the latest figures from Kantar Worldpanel, for the 12 weeks ending 19th February 2012.