Seasonal sparkle for Asda's jewels

Asda has sold more than 500,000 items of jewellery since it rolled out counters to 230 stores three weeks ago.

The grocer mounted a massive jewellery push in the run-up to Christmas after success with the category in the past year.

Last Christmas, 0.5 per cent of Asda's like-for-like growth was understood to have come from jewellery sales at 70 stores. Last month, Asda bolstered its offer with a certified diamond range - the highest-priced product is a three-quarter carat diamond ring for£779.

A spokesman said: 'Jewellery has been really well-received. It looks set to be a sparkling Christmas.'