Asda, a division of Wal-Mart Stores  has said it plans to create around 7,000 new jobs in 2009. The group plans to create 3,700 jobs through opening nine new food stores and five non-food Asda Living stores as well as expanding a further 15 existing sites. Around 2,000 jobs will be created through the expansion of its online shopping service and 1,000 more positions will need to be filled due to organic growth. Another 120 jobs are being created in its pharmacies and optical centers.

Vouchers and money-off coupons are set to be the next big battleground for the UK's major supermarkets, according to industry experts. All the big multiples increased their year-on-year adspend in the run-up to last Christmas, except Morrisons, which cut its spend by more than 29%. However, the latter posted the greatest increase in market share, due, in part, to money-off voucher promotions. Retail analysts believe that one promotion offering customers a £20-off voucher when they spent more than £40 in three consecutive weeks was instrumental in generating its record Christmas sales.

Tesco has bought the former Somerfield store in Weston High Street, Bath and is now looking at rebranding the premises to fit in with its national group of Express shops. The firm already runs a number in Bath and is planning to open one at the former Courthouse petrol station in Upper Bristol Road. Tesco has pledged to safeguard all jobs at the Weston store and all existing employees will be transferred to the new owners. A spokeswoman for the retailer said it had agreed to buy seven stores across the country from the Co-op as a result of that chain's acquisition of Somerfield.

Tesco has submitted plans for a mixed-use scheme in Greenford, west London. The development would bring a 59,000 sq ft (5,500 sq m) Tesco and restore part of the listed building formerly occupied by a Granada cinema. The project would also include the development of a number of smaller shops and cafes, space for a police station or health centre and improved parking facilities. London-based planning consultancy firm Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners (NLP) submitted the application on behalf of Tesco.

Tesco is adding more products to its discount range despite fears that the groceries are eating into its profits. A spokesman confirmed that the new items will be phased in over the coming weeks rather than being made available immediately. Cupcakes and mouthwash will be added to Tesco's range soon, while dog food and cinema popcorn are hitting the shelves this week.

Sales at Waitrose supermarkets fell 0.8% to £74m. Analyst at Seymour Pierce stockbrokers, described Waitrose trading as disappointing.

British families are £4-a-week worse off than they were a year ago, due to rising unemployment and rising prices throughout 2008. According to research from supermarket chain Asda, the recent cut in VAT and falling prices on some essentials during the last month or so have not been enough to offset earlier price rises, and the situation is likely to get worse for many families.

Tesco has lobbied the government to push through reforms to the UK's retirement rules that would allow the supermarket to cut its final salary pension payouts if employees live longer than expected.Documents obtained under freedom of information rules reveal that the company told ministers that employers should be allowed more flexibility in administering their schemes in the light of rising retirement costs

Wm Morrison has declared victory in the annual Christmas trolley wars, after enticing shoppers away from more expensive rivals Marks and Spencer and Waitrose as well as Tesco, its more conventional competitor. Britain’s fourth-biggest supermarket delivered an industry-leading 8.2 per cent rise in underlying sales in the six weeks to January 4. 

Sainsbury's has unveiled plans to cut its head office staff by more than 5%. Justin King, the supermarket group’s chief executive,said that he would be cutting more than 200 jobs from the Holborn office as part of a restructuring programme.