Asda To Create 7,000 UK Jobs

Supermarket chain Asda has announced it is to create 7,000 new jobs this year, with the opening of 14 new stores and the planned expansion of 15 existing sites.

Nine new food stores and five non-food Asda Living stores will employ around 4,000 staff between them.

A further 2,000 are due to be created with the expansion of its home shopping business Asda.com, while around 1,000 positions will be created through natural growth of the company and 120 in pharmacies and optical centres.

President and chief executive officer of the firm, part of the US giant Wal-Mart, Andy Bond, said: "This year we will create 7,000 new jobs at a time when many companies are having to lay people off. We will also be helping 3,000 long-term unemployed to get back into work by specifically targeting them for existing vacancies in our business."

He said: "Our track record of recruiting and retraining people is second to none, which is why we have the lowest turnover and most motivated in British retail."

Meanwhile, satellite broadcaster, BSkyB has announced it will create 1,000 new jobs as it prepares to roll out its high-definition television service.

(JM/BMcC)