Asda, Britain’s second largest supermarket chain owned by America’s Wal-Mart, today announced plans to create 9,000 UK jobs through a mixture of new stores, shop extensions and business expansion.

The company’s plan, its largest jobs programme since it was acquired by Wal-Mart for £6.72 billion in 1999, will include 7,000 positions being created over the next year as it opens between 10 and 12 stores.

New jobs will also be established at 10 new Asda Living stores, its non-food outlets, as well as 12 extensions to existing sites.

Asda is also planning to create another 1,500 jobs by growing its Home Shopping business and Asda Direct, its internet business.

Despite the rise in both staff and stores, Asda still trails far behind Tesco, the market leader, which employs 270,000 compared to its rival's planned 179,000 employees. Tesco has 1,252 shops compared to Asda's 352 sites.

Tesco holds 31.4 per cent of the UK grocery market, according to TNS Worldpanel. Asda controls 16.9 per cent of the market, Sainsbury's has 16.4 per cent and Morrisons in in fourth place with 11.5 per cent.

The first new store will open in Andover, Hampshire next month and will be followed by sites in Dalgety Bay in Scotland and Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan.

The continued roll-out of Asda’s pharmacy business will create 500 jobs, through the opening of 50 in-store pharmacies. The acceleration of Home Shopping to a further 40 stores, will create more than 1,300 vacancies.

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