Manchester-based online beauty and wellness firm The Hut Group (THG) said on Friday it plans to bring forward the creation of more than 500 new jobs across its manufacturing and distribution sites.

The Hut Group said that in recent weeks it has seen a surge in demand for its health, beauty and nutrition products across its brands, including Myprotein.com and Lookfantastic.com.

“This increase in demand for THG’s products has provided the group with the confidence to bring forward its recruitment plans from later this year,” said The Hut Group in a statement.

“In response, THG is creating more than 500 permanent positions across manufacturing, fulfilment and logistics. 

“The majority of the roles (c350) will be created at THG’s 1m sq. ft. manufacturing and fulfilment centre based in Warrington, Cheshire. 

“The balance of the roles (c150) will be created at THG’s manufacturing and fulfilment sites in Wroclaw, Poland and Kentucky, U.S.A.

“Should the increased demand for THG’s health and beauty brands continue, THG will look to create more roles, beyond the 500 announced today, in the weeks ahead.”

The Hut Group CEO Matthew Moulding said: “Some of the region’s biggest employers have had to make incredibly tough decisions in recent days, leaving a worrying number of people out of work at such a vulnerable time.

“Our message to those affected is that we will look to do whatever we can to help, and so we are bringing forward our recruitment plans.

“We are now hiring across our manufacturing and logistics sites with immediate effect.

“We need you and would be thrilled to provide you with a new opportunity at this incredibly challenging time.”

The Hut Group said it is also seeing record demand for its technology and operating platform where THG takes brands direct to consumers over the internet for Nestle, P&G, Walgreens, Nintendo and others.

“THG is currently reviewing resource planning for this area of its business and may soon announce further significant opportunities in this area,” said the firm.

Vacancies will be posted at https://www.thg.com/jobs-search/ and applicants are also urged to get in touch via recruitment@thg.com

The Hut Group operates 178 localised websites, retailing goods in 169 countries.

In the year to December 31, 2019, the group grew sales by 24% to £1.14 billion, with 66% of sales generated internationally.

More than half of THG’s sales come from its own brand products.