Asda trials Living concept

Asda's first standalone general merchandise store will open on October 8 at Walsall's Crown Wharf Retail Park. The 37,500 sq ft (3,485 sq m) Asda Living store will offer the chain's complete non-food range. Separately, Wal-Mart is reportedly raising£1 billion on the UK debt market, fuelling Matalan takeover speculation.