Asda chief executive Andy Bond called 2008 "another vintage year" for the group after announcing like-for-like sales growth of more than 7% for the past quarter and 6.5% for the previous 12 months.

Like-for-like sales excluding fuel were up by 7.2% for the past three months, while online sales at the Wal-Mart-owned chain increased by 40% over the year.

Bond said last week's record £22m bonus pot for shop and depot staff was "both hard-earned and well deserved" and claimed deals offered by the retailer had "struck a chord with shoppers".

"Customers tell us they want proof not promises – simple, transparent low prices not vague price claims," he said. "That's why we're sticking to our unique everyday low-cost, everyday low-price operating model, which enables us to keep our prices permanently low for customers, without cutting corners or scrimping on quality."

Bond also called on the Government to introduce measures to ease planning regulations to allow the retailer to expand into disadvantaged areas – including the introduction of a 'competition test' in the application process.

"We are ready and willing to invest in dozens of deprived areas up and down the country – places that would benefit from our low prices and investment into their local economies," he said. "But the planning system works against us. That's why I'd urge the government to push ahead with their planning reforms and introduce a competition test that would widen the choice of supermarkets available to consumers and create thousands of much-needed jobs."

Last month Asda announced plans to take on an additional 7,000 staff in the coming year.

Meanwhile, Asda retail director Andy Clarke has been promoted to chief operating officer, giving Clarke an expanded brief including group logistics.

In related moves, trading director Darren Blackhurst becomes chief merchandising officer and marketing director Rick Bendel becomes chief marketing officer. Executive development director Doug Gurr will now focus on development areas including Asda's online and financial services business, according to The Independent.

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