Asda announces 25 new stores and 7,000 more jobs
Supermarket group Asda announced today that it would create 7,000 new jobs and open 25 new stores.
The UK’s second biggest grocer said the first of the new stores would open in Feetwood, Lancashire, next Monday.
The group is also preparing to open the first of its new format stores, Asda Essentials – a discount chain stocking 95% of Asda own brands – in Northampton, at the end of March.
Judith McKenna, Asda’s chief financial officer, said: “Our 2006 store and investment programme further demonstrates our commitment to flexible formats, mixed use and re-generation schemes, enabling us to create an increasing number of jobs across the UK.”
A spokeswoman said 6,000 jobs were created through expansion last year.
Plans for 2006 also include further town centre and regeneration schemes, she added.
In Romford, a £25m (€36.5m) investment scheme will include the development of 229 new apartments, with over a third listed as affordable housing, alongside an Asda store, creating 450 jobs.
The company is also to play a role in the development of the Blenheim Centre, a £220m (€321m), mixed-use development in the centre of Hounslow, the spokeswoman said.
New stores are planned for Huntly, Feltham, Newton Abbot, Rushden and Alloa.
The first non-food store, Asda Living, will open in Glasgow in spring and an additional two George high street stores will also open in 2006 in Middlesbrough and Southend.
Some 250 new jobs will also be created through store extension schemes at ASDA stores in Bodmin, Broadstairs, Pentwyn, Dumbarton and Coventry.
Last month, the firm, which is owned by American giant Wal-Mart, announced it was to spend a record amount of cash on cutting prices.
It said it would invest an extra £102m (€149m) in lowering the cost of goods such as televisions and rugby shirts in the first three months of this year.
This followed predictions from industry experts that shoppers are set to benefit from the fiercest supermarket price war in years.
