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 | | Wednesday, 16 January, 2002, 17:01 GMT UK retailers announce new jobs  Comet plans to open 70 new stores over five years The UK retailing sector has continued to demonstrate its strength with two companies announcing expansion plans which will create thousands of new jobs. The electrical retailer Comet has said it will take on 3,000 more staff over the next five years. It currently has 250 outlets, and now plans to open 14 new stores a year over the next five years. Meanwhile the Japanese clothes store Uniqlo says it plans to create 400 jobs in the UK during the next six months. White goods boom Comet - which sells electrical goods such as washing machines, refrigerators, televisions and computers - is part of the Kingfisher group, which also owns the B&Q DIY chain.
The Dixons Group - which owns Comet's main rival Curry's - released disappointing trading figures for the Christmas period last week, showing that a slump in mobile phone and PC sales had cancelled out strong sales of DVD players and other electrical goods. Kingfisher is not due to give a trading update until next month. Japanese fashion sense Although a relative newcomer to the British High Street, Uniqlo is well established in its native Japan with 550 shops employing 20,000 people. Uniqlo currently has five stores in the south east of England, but now plans to expand the chain into the Midlands and North West of England. The chief executive of its UK operation Gen Tamatsuka said the company planned to have 50 stores open within three years. "The Christmas trading period has given us a clear indication that there is a place for Uniqlo in the market," he said. | | See also:  Internet links: The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites Top Business stories now:  Links to more Business stories are at the foot of the page. | |||||||||||||||||||||
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