Peacocks to create more than 1000 jobs as 100 new stores open Edinburgh Woollen Mill are to create 1145 jobs as they open 100 stores across the UK. The group bought Peacocks in January 2012 and the new stores will be a mixture of the two brands. It is estimated around 250 of those positions will be created in Scotland, where 20 shops will open over the next 18 months. Edinburgh Woollen Mill, who bought Peacocks in January 2012, have invested £80m in the brand, developing online sales, re-fitting stores and enhancing the 93 overseas shops. In the first six months of this year, the company opened 30 new stores, creating 450 jobs. Steve Simpson, group commercial director, said: "We've worked hard to maintain strong cost controls whilst investing in our people, our products and ensuring we have the optimal blend of physical and digital channels to suit our customer demographics. UK retail remains a tough environment and we are focused on serving customers who are seeking value at a time of reduced discretionary spend but who will not compromise on quality. The group is free of debt so we can leverage a positive balance sheet and focus on a sensible strategy which continues to deliver sustainable growth for the long term. The natural next step for us is to take this approach to robust international markets such Germany, the Middle East and Russia.