Asda unveils plans for new stores in UK
24 Jan 2012
The UK's second biggest supermarket, Asda, has unveiled plans for the creation of around 5,000 jobs this year in a £500-million expansion drive.
Under the plans, which prime minister David Cameron welcomed, the retailer would open 25 stores, refurbish 43 existing outlets and invest in three new depots in 2012.
According to the supermarket chain, it would create up to 5,000 jobs in addition to the 30,000 staff it took on last year with the opening of around a dozen stores and absorbed 147 Netto sites and their staff following its acquisition of the discount chain.
Asda further said, around half of the jobs it created last year had gone to young people, who were currently battling high unemployment, while 8,500 jobs has gone to people who had signed up through Job Centre Plus.
The chain, currently employing over 180,000 people and operating 528 stores in the UK, also pledged that eligible employees would get the chance to take City & Guilds apprenticeships.
Cameron said, the additional investment and 5,000 new jobs announced by Asda today would help boost the economy and address unemployment in Britain.