One of the UK's leading domestic appliance retailers, ScottishPower, is set to top the 200 stores milestone by the end of this calendar year, creating up to 300 new jobs across the UK.

The company, which currently has 186 stores across England and Scotland, plans to open a further 18 stores in 2000. This will include 14 new superstores as well as six stores in the M25 corridor in the South East.

The launch announcement follows a successful eight week Christmas and New Year trading period, with ScottishPower achieving an 11.6 per cent increase in like-for like sales.

ScottishPower Retail managing director, Ben Idun said: "This is a multi-million pound investment to boost our presence across the UK, laying particular emphasis on developing our market share in south-east England.

"Our stores performed very well over the Christmas period and we are looking forward to building upon this success throughout the year and beyond."