Meal kit delivery business Gousto is planning to double the size of its 1,000-strong workforce after sales soared last year during the pandemic.

The company said it won market share from supermarkets during 2020 as lockdowns spurred demand – and that it expected the trend to continue even as restrictions ease.

Gousto said annual revenues jumped by 129% to £189m, representing around 53 million meals and that it made a profit for the first time, with underlying earnings of £18.2m.

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Founder Timo Boldt said the strong growth continued into 2021, with more than 25 million meals sold in the first three months of the year.

Mr Boldt told the PA News agency: “We had incredibly positive growth prior to the pandemic so can see that continuing even as things ease.

“Like anyone, we are really happy to see hospitality reopen and don’t expect a major shift – we are still looking at hundreds of millions of meals being eaten at home across the UK.

“There have been really strong signs with new customers over the past year sticking as well, recognising the convenience and value of Gousto.”

Gousto said it expanded its capacity with the launch of a second fulfilment centre in December and expects to open two new distribution centres, in Essex and Cheshire, by 2022.

That will mean more recruitment, with about a fifth of the new jobs planned in technology roles.

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