Lidl has said it will hold 10% of its interview slots for entry-level roles at every new store over the next 12 months for people who have been out of work for at least six months.
A further 480 slots across Lidl’s 13 warehouses will also be held.
To identify and support the correct candidates, Lidl said it was working with the Department for Work and Pensions and local employability partners. This will include providers of the Restart Scheme, the government-backed programme to get the long-term unemployed back to work.
Candidates will be given interview tips and best practice guidance to give them the best start. The grocer said the scheme “aims to level the playing field, fast-tracking candidates straight to the interview stage and removing the need for CVs.”
“Unemployment is affecting communities right across the country, adding to the pressures many households are already under. For people who are facing barriers into employment, getting that first opportunity can be the hardest step,” said Stephanie Rogers, chief people officer at Lidl GB.
“That’s why we’re fast‑tracking interviews across the nation to help people get a foot in the door. A career in retail develops a massive range of transferable skills and, here at Lidl, we pair that with industry-leading training and competitive pay to ensure our people can truly thrive.”
The unemployment rate in the UK hit 5.2% at the end of 2025, the highest rate seen since the Covid-19 pandemic. It fell to 4.9% in the three months to April this year, but remains up year-on-year.
Employment minister Diana Johnson said: “Our mission is to get Britain working and that means reaching people across the UK – including those who have been overlooked for too long – to build meaningful careers.
“That’s why Lidl’s new programme is so vital – it’s moving people from welfare to work, providing those who have been out of work with a pathway back into employment. By joining forces, we are helping people to kick-start rewarding careers in the retail sector as we continue to drive our economy forward.”
Lidl has also announced a £50,000 donation to homelessness charity Standing Tall to support those without housing into work. The grocer ran a successful trial with the charity in Runcorn, Cheshire, last year and is now extending its support to multiple regions.
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