Job vacancies rise in construction, teaching, and maintenance
A new report by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) and Lightcast shows rising construction, gardening, teaching, and maintenance vacancies. Meanwhile, demand for veterinary nurses, delivery drivers, and train and tram drivers has fallen. Over 1.5 million jobs were advertised last month, slightly up from January, though new postings were 10% lower. REC’s chief executive, Neil Carberry, noted businesses are cautiously hiring despite economic pressures.
Construction firms, encouraged by government housing plans and rising property prices, seek to expand. IT recruitment remains sluggish, though opportunities exist, with 30,000 postings for programmers and 12,000 for IT analysts.
Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and M&S lose £3.5bn amid Asda price war
Over £3.5bn has been wiped from the value of Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Marks & Spencer since Friday as fears grow over Asda’s aggressive price-cutting strategy. Tesco’s stock fell 10%, Sainsbury’s 8%, and M&S 7% as Asda pledged to invest heavily in lowering prices and adding staff despite declining profits.
Analysts warn of squeezed margins for rivals but question Asda’s ability to sustain deep cuts. Asda, struggling since its 2021 buyout, aims for a five-year turnaround under new chair Allan Leighton, who faces supply chain scepticism and stiff competition from stronger, more financially stable competitors.
Gettysburg man charged in Walmart skimming scheme
Authorities have charged Marcus Covaci, 20, and a juvenile accomplice with placing skimming devices on self-checkout registers at multiple Walmart stores in Central Pennsylvania. Investigators say the duo installed a device at a Lower Allen Township store on February 5 and placed another in Adams County, where police caught them.
Surveillance footage showed Covaci blocking a camera while the juvenile installed the skimmer. Covaci faces multiple felony charges in Cumberland and Adams counties, including fraud and conspiracy. He remains in Adams County Prison after failing to post bail, with hearings scheduled for March 19.