Supermarket giant Asda has announced it is to create a jobs boom across the UK as it opens up 22 new stores this year.
The Wal-Mart-owned retailer is also planning 12 extensions for existing stores, which will also help contribute to a portion of the 9,000 positions expected to be created in 2008.
Pharmacy jobs will also be boosted at the company, as Asda injects £400 million into the plan.
Chief financial officer of the retailer Judith McKenna remarked that the investment will allow the company to continue to offer its combination of low prices and "fantastic service" to more people in the UK.
"We have an impressive track record of regenerating areas at the edge of and in town centres throughout the UK, showing our ongoing commitment to local communities," she said.
Research from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation earlier this week indicated that employers are optimistic about workplace growth this year.
Digg 
Delicious 
Reddit 
StumbleUpon 
Google 
Technorati 
Netvouz