Tesco to expand in North
Tesco is to create hundreds of jobs in the North this year, it announced today.
The new jobs will come with the expansion of three outlets at Knocknagoney and Newtownbreda in Belfast and Carrickfergus, Co Antrim, which are being turned into Extra stores.
Tesco, the North's biggest retailer, announced sales of £54.3bn (€61bn) in the 12 months to February 28, while its underlying pre-tax profits set another milestone - up 8.8% to £3.13bn (€3.52bn).
The news comes as the company battles industrial unrest in Cork, as Mandate workers in its store in Douglas voted by a large majority for industrial action.
Tesco has told workers transferring to the new Tesco Extra store to accept inferior employment terms and conditions or be made redundant.
The supermarket chain now has 47 stores in the North, representing an investment of more than £450m (€506.2m).
Tesco chief executive Terry Leahy, said: "At a time when customers everywhere are feeling the economic strain, we are responding to their changing needs in all our markets by lowering prices, introducing more affordable products and offering even sharper promotions.
"These actions, combined with our core strengths - in selling food and everyday essentials, owning our own property and having a broad business base - are helping us to cope well with the effects of the downturn.
"We are also pleased with the early performance of Tesco Personal Finance under our ownership and with the converted Homever stores in Korea."
He said as a result, the company had delivered "a solid sales and profit performance, both in the UK and internationally".
