Asda, Britain's second biggest supermarket chain, is creating 4,300 news jobs in the UK over the next six months.
The company, owned by controversial US giant Wal-Mart, is investing some £400m in new stores and expanding existing branches.
Asda said it planned to open new stores in Dorset, Somerset, London and Merseyside and launch two new stand-alone high street fashion shops selling its own-brand George clothing.