AO creates 650 new jobs as it targets ‘significant’ growth

The online electricals business has created 650 new roles across its retail, mobile, IT, financial services and logistics divisions as part of its ambitions plan to target “significant” growth.

AO said the new staff would be needed “to manage the sustained demand” it has experienced from consumers since the outbreak of Covid-19 in the UK in March.  

Vacancies will be on offer across its various UK locations, including Manchester, Bolton, Telford, Crewe and Thatcham. 

Among the diverse range of roles on offer, AO said it is on the hunt for tech experts, gas engineers, software developers and even a TikTok expert to help it boost its social media presence.  

All new employees will also be enrolled in AO’s new incentive scheme, which will hand bonuses to all employees if it hits share price targets. 

The initiative was rubber-stamped by shareholders at the company’s AGM yesterday. 

AO founder and chief executive John Roberts said: “AO went into Covid-19 fit and focused on the future. The pandemic accelerated a shift in customer behaviour towards online shopping – we saw five years’ change in five weeks. We now have the opportunity to make AO a habit that lasts for our new customers.

“We’re investing to cement the change and prepare for our next phase of growth which includes creating hundreds of new, high-quality jobs for a diverse range of talented people.”

The jobs will come as a welcome boost to the retail sector, which has been battered by the coronavirus crisis. 

During August alone, Marks & Spencer announced on plans to axe 7,000 staff and WHSmith put 1,500 roles at risk as part of its restructuring plans. 

Retail Week also revealed that Debenhams was making 2,500 redundancies and Dixons Carphone was scrapping 800 jobs as part of a management overhaul.