Asda set to create 7500 jobs in 2011
New jobs created through combination of new stores, home shopping expansion and Netto conversions
On the day that Walmart releases its third quarter earnings (Tuesday 16th November, 2010), Asda announced it will create more than 7,500 new jobs in 2011 through a combination of opening new stores, the continued expansion of its home shopping service, and its acquisition and conversion of Netto stores.
The roles will include home shopping drivers, local store managers, qualified pharmacists, plus thousands of shopfloor colleagues.
The retailer also announced it has nearly 3,000 vacancies available today.
Over the past five years Asda has increased its sales by more than a third from around £15bn a year to around £20bn, creating more than 30,000 jobs across the UK in the process. In that time it has opened more than 70 new stores and rolled out its home shopping service nationwide.
Andy Clarke, Asda CEO and President said,”I’m proud to say next year we will once again create thousands of new jobs at every level of our growing business.
“Through a combination of opening new stores, extending existing ones, converting Netto stores, and continuing to expand our grocery home shopping service we will create 7500 new roles throughout the country.
“At Asda we always recruit for attitude and train for skill, so you needn’t have previous retail experience to apply. We’re simply looking for people who share our passion for customer service.”
In addition next year, Asda will continue to offer thousands of young people the opportunity to join its business or gain work experience. Earlier this year Asda committed to create 15,000 retail apprenticeships, 10,000 seasonal jobs, and 15,000 work experience placements (for 14-16 year olds).
The Netto acquisition is set to add around one million square feet and create an Asda Supermarkets division of around 170 stores. The conversion programme, which will start in the first quarter of 2011, is expected to be completed by this time next year.
Asda expects to employ up to twice as many people in each of the stores it converts, creating 1,500 jobs. The additional roles are a reflection of the fact that shoppers in those stores will be able to complete a full weekly shop.
In 2011 the supermarket is also set to increase the number of fully qualified pharmacists it employs by around ten per cent, creating 32 new posts. Asda currently operates 205 in-store pharmacies nationwide, but next year plans to open a further 16.
