LIDL ANNOUNCES 700 NEW JOBS
Retailer to invest €14 million in a pay rise for all employees making Lidl Ireland’s highest paying supermarket
Lidl is to create more than 700 brand-new jobs within its Irish operations this year in a variety of operational and office-based roles across its network of 176 store locations, three regional distribution centres and Dublin head office. These new roles will bring Lidl’s total workforce in the Republic of Ireland to more than 6,000 employees for the first time, with the retailer employing 7,500 on the island of Ireland.
Lidl is also announcing a €14 million investment in pay increases for its existing workforce in the Republic of Ireland with a further £3 million being invested in the retailers’ operations in Northern Ireland which it operates from its head office in Dublin. All employees will benefit from an increase from March 1st, 2023. On average this will result in a 7.5% pay increase for employees, approximately between €2,000-€2,500 additional for every employee per annum.
This increase is in addition to the retailer’s commitment in October to paying the new Living Wage rate of €13.85 as recommended by the Living Wage Technical Group. Lidl was the first nationwide retailer in Ireland to adopt the Living Wage recommendation in 2015.
The new roles are being created to support Lidl’s growing footprint of stores nationwide and in line with Lidl’s ongoing €550 million three-year expansion plan first announced in 2021.This year will see the opening of a range of new stores including Kilkenny, Ballincollig, Bettystown, Limerick and the completion of a €75 million extension of the retailer’s Mullingar Distribution Centre.
Welcoming the 700 new jobs at Lidl in Ireland, Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment, Simon Coveney, T.D. said: “Lidl’s decision to hire an additional 700 employees this year is a real vote of confidence in the company’s long-term commitment to the Irish retail sector and the Irish economy as a whole. Given the current cost of living pressures that everyone is feeling, I’m delighted to see that Lidl is investing in giving their workforce a pay rise to support them. I wish to congratulate the entire Lidl team on reaching the milestone of over 6,000 colleagues employed across the country, the company has a very impressive story of growth to tell since it first came to Ireland twenty years ago.”
Commenting on the announcement, Maeve McCleane, Chief People Officer at Lidl Ireland & Lidl Northern Ireland said: “We are delighted to continue to invest in our expansion in the Irish market and grow our team with the addition of 700 new roles this year across the country. It is a very proud moment for us to reach the milestone of more than 6,000 employees in the Republic of Ireland and demonstrates the commitment we have in our growing footprint in our Irish operations.
“After a roller coaster few years for the Irish retail sector, we are thrilled to be able to continue to reward the hard work and dedication of our employees by investing €14 million in pay rises. To recognise the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on our team members, we have significantly increased our investment in pay rises by 30% this year to support our employees as best we can, ensuring that we are offering the most competitive and all-encompassing suite of benefits in the jobs market at present.”
Lidl recognised as a Top Employer for 2023
For the third year running, Lidl has been recognised by the Top Employers Institute as a Top Employer for 2023. One of only 14 Irish companies and the only retailer to receive the accreditation, the Top Employer accreditation is a globally recognised and highly sought-after certification, held by international brands such as Heineken, Puma & PepsiCo. It showcases an organisation’s dedication to a better world of work, exhibited through excellent HR policies and people practices.