The hiring spree comes as the company expands rapidly by adding new stores. Last year, it opened 216 stores while trying to expand its turf against rivals like Safeway and Albertsons.

“Kroger’s growth trajectory creates more job opportunities for current and future employees,” said Katy Barclay, Kroger’s senior vice president of human resources, in a statement.

Since 2008, the company has created 40,000 positions for a total of 375,000. It has just over 2,600 stores total.

In January, Kroger acquired the Harris Teeter supermarket chain for $2.4 billion, which was its largest deal in 16 years, according to Businessweek. Kroger also operates a number of other types of U.S. businesses including 786 convenience stores, 320 jewelry stores, 1,240 supermarket fuel centers and 37 food processing plants.