Screwfix: Expansion Continues With Plans To Create 800 Jobs

• The omnichannel retailer, which is part of Kingfisher plc, plans to open up to 85 new Screwfix stores by the end of its financial year (January 2024), with up to 60 in the UK and Ireland and up to 25 in France

• The business is targeting at least 1000 stores in the UK & Republic of Ireland, with over 870 already open

• In the UK, Screwfix stores with air source heat pumps are powered and heated by renewable electricity

Screwfix, the omnichannel retailer, has announced its ambition to open up to 85 new stores across the UK, Ireland and France by the end of January 2024, creating more than 800 jobs in local communities.

The announcement follows a record year of store openings in 2022, including its first five stores in France, with total number of store openings for the year reaching 87, across the UK, Republic of Ireland and France.

Committed to supporting the local communities in which its stores operate, Screwfix’s expansion plan will create new jobs, including retail assistants, assistant managers, and branch managers. As an approved training provider, colleagues in the UK and Republic of Ireland can participate in the retailer’s apprenticeship scheme and join the 850 apprentices currently training across the business.

As part of the retailer’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions, the new stores will be equipped with air source heat pumps to provide heating and hot water.

Screwfix’s entire store network is already powered exclusively by renewable electricity and the retailer has been on a journey over the last 12 months to retrofit its existing stores with air source heat pumps. At the end of the 2022/23 financial year, more than 500 Screwfix stores were fitted with the low carbon technology, representing over 50% of the overall total, with more to be rolled-out in 2023.

John Mewett, Screwfix CEO, said: “We know how busy tradespeople are and how important it is to be able to find a Screwfix store close to their jobs. In response to sustained demand from tradespeople across the UK, Republic of Ireland and France, we are driving forward with our store opening program with the plan to open up to 85 stores this year.

“These expansion plans are making Screwfix even more accessible to tradespeople, ensuring they can get their job done quickly, affordably, and right first time. This is a very exciting time to be part of Screwfix as we continue to grow and deliver on our ambitions. I look forward to welcoming new colleagues to our stores over the course of this year.”

Source : Screwfix

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