2011 Set To Be Largest Year of Growth In Asda History
After receiving approval by the Office of Fair Trading for its £778 million acquisition of discount retailer Netto, Asda is set to open as many as 168 new stores this year.
As part of the acquisition, as many as 147 Netto stores are being converted to the Asda brand, a process which will take place between May and the end of the year. The conversions will also be complimented by the opening of a further 21 new store openings, making 2011 the biggest single year of growth in Asda’s history.
The store conversions will mean that Asda will add as much as 1.8 million square feet of retail food space in the UK, whilst a further half million square feet will be added through the opening of seven new Asda superstores, four Asda Livings, ten Asda supermarkets and extensions to five existing stores.
The first converted Netto stores will open in the towns of Worksop, Wakefield and Stainforth in May.
Judith McKenna, Chief Financial Officer at Asda, said: “The combination of acquiring 147 Netto stores together with our organic growth plans means we will be able to save customers more money than ever before.”
“We’ll also create 1,500 jobs as we convert all of the Netto stores into Asda supermarkets .”
Please Note - All Prices Quoted Are Correct at Time of Posting
Campaign Group Urges UK Supermarkets To Restrict Alcohol Displays
UK supermarket chains are being urged by health campaign groups to stop the practice of displaying alcohol besides food and soft drinks.
Alcohol Concern a charity group published research in December which suggests that the big four supermarket chains were “overflowing” with discounted alcohol, with wine and beer displays placed throughout their stores.
The group is now imploring retailers including off licences to make sure alcohol products are confined to merely one section of the store, an idea which Alcohol Concern claims is supported by over 70 per cent of shoppers.
The group would also like to see England follow the example set by legislators in Scotland and Wales to restrict the places where alcohol can be seen, and recommends the introduction of a 50p per unit minimum to stop the “deep discounting of alcohol by supermarkets “.
Don Shenker, the group’s chief executive, said: “It’s now common practice to sell wine next to ready-meals, pushing the idea that a relaxing meal should be accompanied by an alcoholic drink .”
“Such practices help fuel a drinking culture where one in four people in England are already drinking at levels that are harming their health.”
Andrew Opie, the British Retail Consortium’s food director responded: “Supermarkets are the most responsible sellers of alcohol. There’s no evidence to link the way alcohol is sold currently to irresponsible drinking.”
“Limiting supermarket displays would create inconvenience for the vast majority of customers who enjoy alcohol sensibly”, he added.
Please Note - All Prices Quoted Are Correct at Time of Posting
