The major supermarket chains are set to create 28,000 new jobs in the UK in the coming year. Tesco leads the way with a promise of 10,000 new staff in 22 new UK stores. It is also expanding its home delivery service ­ currently operated from its stores rather than warehouses ­ creating 2,000 new jobs. Another 12,000 jobs will be created in its overseas division. Sainsbury is set to create 8,500 new jobs as it opens between 15 to 18 new supermarkets and 35 of its smaller format Local stores. About 50 jobs will be created in each Local store and between 300 to 400 in the larger supermarkets. Asda has announced plans to recruit 6,000 people this year, and up to 27,000 over a five year period. It will open 12 new stores this year, six of which will be resitings of existing stores, and two new supercentres. Up to 1,500 new jobs will be created as part-time Christmas jobs are converted into permanent posts ­ approximately seven staff per store ­ following an increase in demand. The first supercentre will be an extension of the existing 75,000 sq ft store in Patchway, Bristol, while a new store will be built in Havant, Hampshire. A company spokeswoman said the expansion would enable Asda to expand into the south of England, especially with its Asda Fresh concept of supermarkets. More than 1,200 new jobs are also expected to be created in the distribution network for the home shopping business as Asda expands its network of warehouses nationwide. {{NEWS }}

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