Asda to recruit 6,000 more staff

The Leeds-based group, whose US parent company Walmart is due to report annual results later today, said it will create the jobs as part of plans to open ten new stores and extend another ten stores.

Asda said the bonuses paid to store and depot staff will mean up to 437.50 each. The bonus pot is 18 per cent higher than last year, it added.

The windfall will be distributed amongst those with more than six months' service.

Chet Kuchinad, people director at Asda, said: "To announce a record bonus payout and the creation of thousands of new jobs in a challenging economic environment is testament to the successful year that we have had here at Asda.

"This success is absolutely down to the continued hard work and commitment of all of our store and depot colleagues who have once again gone above and beyond to deliver fantastic service and every day low prices to our customers' week in, week out.

"On top of this we are continuing to recruit on a large scale in 2010, with thousands of new opportunities to join Asda this year. With one of the lowest turnover rates in British retail, we have an incredibly motivated and experienced workforce and are looking forward to expanding this in 2010."

The group will also reveal more detail on how it plans to harness Walmart's buying power to make use of the world's biggest retailer's scale in food sourcing.

Asda said its fresh produce business - International Produce Limited (IPL) - will play a key role in reducing prices on imported produce such as melons, stone fruit and grapes. It will also buy in greater volume for Walmart stores globally.

Asda chief executive Andy Bond said: "We're putting the right structure in place to generate significant savings to customers over the years ahead, powered by our unique relationship with Walmart."