2,200 jobs in store at Sainsburys; your money.

Byline: CLINTON MANNING

SAINSBURY'S will create 2,200 jobs over the next 12 months as part of a multi-million pound expansion.

The grocery giant will open five new stores and extend four.

Details emerged as new figures revealed shop sales jumped 1.8% last month. It adds to hopes that the worst of the recession could be over.

Stephen Robertson, British Retail Consortium director general, said: "July showed us both sides of the British summer.

"Clothing clearance sales did well early in the month with good summer food sales as the heatwave continued.

"The cooler, wetter second half of the month turned attention indoors. There are signs some people are using holidays to improve their homes rather than spending on going away."

Howard Archer, chief economist at Global Insight, said big cuts to mortgage payments and power bills meant many in work had more spare cash. Some were now confident enough to splash their cash, taking advantage of the deep discounts in many stores.

But he fears rising unemployment and the reduced spending power of people whose pay or hours are cut still pose a threat to recovery.

Sainsbury's is doing its bit to help by pledging to hire many new staff from the long-term unemployed.

Up to 1,300 of the jobs will be in Scotland with new stores at Prestwick and Braehead near Glasgow and Strathaven.

It is also opening branches in Crewe, Cheshire, Colne near Burnley and extending its Monks Cross branch in York.

Imelda Walsh, Sainsbury's HR director, told Your Money: "This is a major investment which will give a welcome boost to the local economies. The sheer scope of roles needed in a supermarket means there will be a wide range of full and part-time jobs."

CAPTION(S):

GROWING Chain will hire long-term jobless