Tesco has announced plans to hire 20,000 new store workers to deal with an "unprecedented" demand from shoppers amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The UK's biggest supermarket will hire a raft of new staff for at least the next 12 weeks.
It comes after Aldi, Asda and Lidl announced earlier on Friday that they will recruit 16,500 workers - 4,000 of the roles permanent - to cope with the surge in demand for groceries.
Morrisons also said earlier in the week it would be taking on more 3,500 delivery drivers and warehouse workers while the Government relaxed competition rules to allow retailers to work together.
Co-op also said it would be increasing its workforce.
Meanwhile, Tesco’s chief people officer Natasha Adams said: “I’m so proud to be welcoming thousands of new colleagues to Tesco.
“Thank you to everyone offering to help as we work day and night to keep our shelves full for customers.
“The community spirit at Tesco is fantastic and together, we can do this.”
The move comes as one of a series of new measures to cope with the growing demand from the Covid-19 outbreak.
On Thursday, Tesco also made the decision that shoppers will only be allowed to buy three of the same items.
Chief executive Dave Lewis added all counter services will close, to free up staff to restock shelves, and a priority hour will be launched at larger stores between 9am and 10am every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Stores that previously opened 24 hours, will also now close at 10pm each evening.
