Growth will create 7,000 jobs
Wal-Mart-owned Asda is to embark on an aggressive organic growth strategy, creating 7,000 new jobs by opening a minimum of 25 stores this year.

Following a difficult year in 2005, the chain will create a mix of outlets this year, including supermarkets, non-food shops and small neighbourhood stores across the UK.

The move will allow it to compete with rival supermarkets, which have already moved into smaller formats and non-food.

The supermarket is seeking to halt the slide in its market share, which fell from 17 per cent at the beginning of 2005 to 16.4 per cent at the end of last month.

The first store, at Fleetwood, Lancashire, will open next week, with further openings to take place across the UK, including Huntly, Feltham, Newton Abbot and Rushden.

Some 250 jobs will be created through the extension of stores in Bodmin, Broadstairs, Pentwyn, Dumbarton and Croydon.

Asda will open its first non-food Asda Living store in Scotland in Glasgow this spring and an additional two George stores will open in Middlesbrough and Southend. Chief executive Andy Bond wants 15 Asda Living stores to be rolled-out by the end of the year.

Bond also announced before Christmas plans to launch its first discount chain, Asda Essentials, which will stock 95 per cent own brands, in Northampton before Easter.

The supermarket has invested£25 million in a store to complement 229 new apartments in Romford, Essex. Asda is also opening a store within a regeneration project at The Blenheim Centre in Hounslow.

Asda chief financial officer Judith Mckenna said: 'Our 2006 store and investment programme further demonstrates our commitment to flexible formats, mixed-use and regeneration schemes, enabling us to create an increasing number of jobs across the UK.'

A spokeswoman added 6,000 jobs were created through expansion last year.

Wal-Mart's annual financial results are due out later today.