Supermarket chain Asda will create 7,000 new jobs this year, a spokesman said.
More than half them will be created by the opening of 14 new stores and the planned expansion of 15 existing sites.
President and chief executive officer of Asda Andy Bond said: "This year we will create 7,000 new jobs at a time when many companies are having to lay people off. We will also be helping 3,000 long-term unemployed get back into work by specifically targeting them for existing vacancies in our business."
And he added: "Our track record of recruiting and retaining people is second to none, which is why we have the lowest turnover and most motivated workforce in British retail."
Among the locations where new stores will be built are Bury St Edmunds, in Suffolk, and Chelmsley Wood in the West Midlands.
The jobs that will be offered to 3,000 long-term unemployed include part-time roles.
Many of them will come through a partnership between Asda and Remploy which helps disabled people find work.
The move was welcomed by Secretary of State for Work and Pensions James Purnell.
Meanwhile Broadcaster BSkyB has reported a 31% rise in half-year operating profits and said it planned to create 1,000 jobs to support further growth.
The group, which also provides broadband and home telephony, said customer growth was 2% year on year following the net addition of 171,000 subscribers in the quarter to December 31, taking its customer base to 9.24 million.
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