Screwfix, which is owned by Kingfisher plc, is planning to open 40 new stores in the coming months, despite the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the industry.
By the end of January 2021, 30 new stores will create up to 300 jobs in areas such as retail management, service assistants and supervisor roles, in the UK, while a further 10 stores are planned in the Republic of Ireland (ROI), which will create up to 160 jobs.
As an essential retailer, Screwfix adapted its proposition in order to remain open during the lockdown to allow its customers to safely access the products they need.
The rapid growth of Screwfix has seen the trade retailer open at least 50 stores a year for the past decade, making it one of the fastest growing retailers in the UK. It now has more than 680 stores, with a long-term target of 800 in the UK.
Screwfix currently has five stores in the ROI which opened in early 2020. The business hopes to open up to 40 stores in the ROI over the coming years, creating around 400 jobs in total.
John Mewett, chief executive officer of Screwfix, said: “The growing demand for convenience means we’re opening more stores to help our busy customers get their jobs done. We know that time is money for our customers and these new stores in the UK and Republic of Ireland will not only enable us to provide our customers with added convenience and certainty, but also allow us to provide even more job opportunities for local communities when they need it most.”
