Waitrose will create up to 4,000 jobs this year as part of expansion plans including the purchase of 13 Co-operative Group (Co-op) stores.
The deal to buy the Co-op stores – which must be sold as part of that company’s acquisition of Somerfield – will alone create 1,500 jobs.
Another 2,500 positions will be created as Waitrose plans to open nine completely new stores in 2009.
Managing director Mark Price said: “There is a real weight of evidence that businesses that continue to invest during tough economic times fare much better when the economy begins to recover.
“Our new shops will help ensure Waitrose is in the best shape possible coming out of the recession.”
More than 1,000 current Somerfield staff will join Waitrose at the new stores, the retailer said.
Both Tesco and Morrisons have also said they will be boosting staff numbers this year, despite challenging economic conditions.
