It’s also the number of people Tesco will take on permanently in the wake of the coronavirus crisis as it seeks to capitalise on the shift to online shopping. 

That is a significant recruitment drive – and the grocer isn’t alone in hunting for new staff. Tesco’s plans were revealed just days after online electricals retailer AO kicked off a search for 650 new employees to take roles across the business, from tech experts to gas engineers and even a TikTok specialist, as it targets ambitious growth.  

Brits had barely heard of TikTok three years ago. Now retailers want full-time employees to create content for their TikTok channels. 

Tesco, AO and the nature of the roles they are recruiting for offer timely proof that retail jobs aren’t dying; they are evolving.