Supermarket giant Asda has announced plans to create 9,000 jobs through 22 new store openings and expansions across the UK this year.
Speaking to the BBC, Asda chief executive Andy Bond said the company’s large-scale expansion plans will create around 7,000 jobs through its opening of between 10 and 12 new superstores, 10 Living stores and 12 extensions to existing UK outlets during the next 12 months.
An additional 1,500 jobs will be created through the expansion of its Home Shopping arm and Asda Direct, while some 500 jobs will be made available through the opening of 50 new in-store pharmacies .
Asda is set to invest around £400 million into the new store expansion programme, which begins with the opening of an outlet in Andover, Hampshire, in March. Other new stores are being targeted for Dalgety Bay in Scotland and Bridgend in Mid-Glamorgan.
Meanwhile expansions to current UK stores are set to take place in Chapeltown, Elgin, Hulme, Kirkcaldy, Boldon, Govan, Portsmouth, Donnington Wood, Hyson Green, Chatham, Luton and Gosport.
The announcement follows yesterday’s news by parent firm Wal Mart that the group had exceeded sales and profit targets for the 2007 financial year, with annual profits rising by 8.6 per cent.
The US-based firm said like-for-like sales excluding fuel increased by “mid-single digits”, while total sales growth was in the high single digits.
Asda operates a total of 345 UK stores, including 13 Asda Living shops and 12 George high street outlets .
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