Asda set to create 6,000 new jobs

Asda is looking to maintain market share

Supermarket group Asda has said it is planning to create more than 6,000 jobs this year through opening new stores and revamping existing outlets.

Asda says it will open at least 15 new stores in 2005, ranging from a 100,000 square foot superstore in Milton Keynes to much smaller developments.

The company is also planning to open five non-food outlets.

Asda - owned by US retail giant Wal-Mart - is the UK's second largest supermarket chain behind Tesco.

The company opened its first Asda Living non-food store - which stocks household and electrical goods and George clothing - last year.

It is to open more in the first half of this year and will also add to its George clothing chain, which currently has six outlets.