Bunnings’ $1.5n investment to create 6000 jobs

Hardware retailer Bunnings says it will create 6000 Australian jobs in the next few years as it invests $1.5 billion on a raft of new stores.

The company expects to open 85 new Australian stores in the next three years, creating more than 11,000 temporary construction jobs, according to AAP.

Bunnings opened its 200^th store today – at Greenacre in Sydney’s west.

“Expanding our network will allow us to serve more and more communities,” managing director John Gillam says.

Supermarket rival Woolworths is developing its own hardware chain, known as Masters. It has eight stores already operating and 12 more planned this year.

The big box hardware retail model was developed in the United States by Home Depot, which was founded in 1978. Bunnings opened its first outlet in Sunshine, in Melbourne’s west, 18 years ago.

Bunnings is owned by Wesfarmers (ASX: WES) which also owns Coles supermarkets.