Asda has launched an aggressive bid to boost non food sales with the introduction of 5,000 new home and leisure products. The new range of microwaves, DVDs and bikes has been sourced through Wal-Mart's global general merchandise supplier PREL, leveraging its buying power to generate cost savings of £25m. The initiative has slashed an average of 10% off Asda's previous prices. Asda staff accompanied Wal-Mart buyers on trips to more than 21 countries to source the range. Asda suppliers are also being introduced to PREL with a view to supplying Wal-Mart in Germany and the US. The move coincides with the launch of a major recruitment campaign to staff Asda's rapidly expanding photoprocessing, optical and pharmacy divisions. To meet its ambitious target of being third or fourth in UK optical sales in three years, Asda is looking to recruit 1,200 ophthalmic opticians, dispensing opticians and assistants for 150 vision centres by 2004. The first vision centre opened at the Patchway Supercentre last year. Asda claims to offer prices up to 70% lower than traditional opticians within the UK's £2bn eye care market. The company also plans to grow its pharmacy estate from 78 to 130 by 2004 and its in-store jewellery chain from three outlets to 150. Photo centres will be added to 132 stores taking the total to 150 within three years. The total expansion will create 3,120 jobs over three years. {{NEWS }}

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