Gousto is to recruit 1,000 more staff, after recording its first profit and more than doubling sales during the pandemic.

The meal kit company, launched in 2012, doubled its workforce to 1,000 last year. It aims to double it again by the end of next year, as it opens additional fulfilment centres in Warrington and Thurrock, as reported by The Guardian.

Gousto is looking for marketing and tech staff, as well as employees to pack and prepare its recipe boxes.

The company recorded underlying profits of £18.2m in the year to 31st December, after a loss of £9.1m in the previous year. Sales were up 129 per cent to £189m.

The company said it is capitalising on the health convenience and sustainability trends and taking business away from the supermarkets. Gousto was already growing quickly before Covid-19, but the pandemic saw it grow like never before.

Meal kits boomed during the pandemic, as families looked for a way to get a bigger variety of meals while restaurants were closed. The company believes growth will continue even when restaurants reopen, as it is a cheaper option than eating out, as well as an easy alternative to supermarket shopping.