Asda has announced it will invest more than £500 million this year. The money will be pumped into opening new stores and depots as well as developing the Yorkshire retailer’s existing chain.
The plans include 25 new store openings as well as three depots that will between them create some 5,000 jobs and refurbishment for 43 existing stores.
The new openings will add over 600,000 square feet of net selling space to Asda, through superstores, small format supermarkets and Asda Living.
A new depot in Rochdale will service chilled and frozen products to stores along the M62 corridor. The replacement depot in Scotland increases capacity for delivery of groceries to stores in Scotland and Northern Ireland. And an investment in Yorkshire will upgrade a depot that originally formed part of the Netto chain into a cross dock allowing products to be shipped in and out in minimal time.
The retailer has calculated that between them the three new depots “will take an additional one million miles off the road,” it said in a statement.
Some of the new jobs created will bring with them eligibility for post-holders to undertake a City & Guilds apprenticeship.
The new investment and job creation plans were unveiled on 23 January during a UK visit by president and CEO of parent company Walmart International, Doug McMillon.
He said: “Our continued investment is because we see a tremendous opportunity in front of us - I’m proud of the difference you’re making and that we can make an even bigger difference in the lives of our customers and the communities we serve”.
Andy Clarke, president and CEO of Asda said: “I am delighted to be able to start 2012 on such a positive note, doing what we do best - creating new jobs, working with new communities and bringing Asda’s low prices to families who need the value we can bring.
“I look forward to seeing these new stores and depots open for business and welcoming new colleagues and customers to our team.”
The news has also been welcomed by UK prime minister David Cameron: “The additional investment and 5,000 new jobs announced by Asda today will be a real boost for the economy and more importantly for people around Britain seeking jobs.
“I also welcome Asda’s commitment not only to create jobs but invest in their staff too; offering employees the chance to join an apprenticeship scheme to gain skills which will benefit them throughout their career.”
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