Asda expansion to create 800 jobs

British Supermarket chain Asda announced today it was creating 800 jobs through the opening of new in-store jewellery, optical and photo centres.

The expansion programme is likely to increase pressure on traders which traditionally specialise in these services.

Asda is creating 300 jobs with 30 new photo centres at a cost of £5m (€7.2m).

It means the company now has 140 in-store departments offering photo processing, digital prints and product sales.

Jewellery departments are to be built in a further 30 Asda branches across the country, creating 400 new jobs.

The move, which is costing £1.6m (€2.3m), will bring the number of jewellery counters to 210.

A further 60 jobs are being created with the opening of six optical departments at a cost of £400,000 (€579,000).

The departments, which will number 85 following the expansion, offer eye tests, contact lens fitting and frames.

Tony Page, Asda’s non-food director, said: “Thanks to every day high street-beating prices customers love to pick up carats with their carrots, process their prints when picking up a pint of milk and even get their eye sight checked before they reach the check-out.

“With this roll-out more people than ever before can now take advantage of fantastic prices for jewellery, glasses and photos.”

The expansion programme is not due to take place until the end of the year.