Asda staff will share a record £26m bonus pot this month with each employee receiving up to £437.50, as the retailer reveals it will create new jobs and unveil an enhanced buying deal with parent Walmart.

Asda, which will today reveal its full year results, said the bonus will be 18% higher than last year’s payout. The grocer will also create 6,000 new jobs this year to cope with the ten new store openings and ten store extensions.

Asda said it welcomed one million more customers through its doors in 2009. It also revealed it will embark on an ambitious global sourcing plan to leverage parent Walmart’s buying strength.

The bonus pot will be distributed on February 26 among those working at the grocer for more than six months in its 371 stores and 21 depots.

Chet Kuchinad, people director at Asda said: “To announce a record bonus payout and the creation of thousands of new jobs in a challenging economic environment is testament to the successful year that we have had here at Asda.

“This success is absolutely down to the continued hard work and commitment of all of our store and depot colleagues who have once again gone above and beyond to deliver fantastic service and every day low prices to our customers’ week in, week out.

“On top of this we are continuing to recruit on a large scale in 2010, with thousands of new opportunities to join Asda this year. With one of the lowest turnover rates in British retail, we have an incredibly motivated and experienced workforce and are looking forward to expanding this in 2010.”

Asda will today reveal details of how it will further leverage Walmart’s buying strength in 2010. Asda forms part of Walmart’s plans to lower costs through its Global Merchandising Centres, leveraging scale in general merchandising and food sourcing.

Asda’s fresh produce business – International Produce – will also play a key role in reducing prices on imported produce such as melons, stone fruit and grapes. Now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Walmart, it will also buy in greater volume for stores in the worldwide Walmart family.

Asda president and chief executive Andy Bond said: “We’re putting the right structure in place to generate significant savings to customers over the years ahead, powered by our unique relationship with Walmart.”

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