We already have over 450 stores with more on the way. Plus we've opened hundreds of smaller supermarkets… with more on the way. And of course we have a nationwide network of distribution centres. That's an awful lot of property and construction to take care of. Asda's Retail Development Department is responsible for our new store investment programme, managing all of our existing estate and the development, construction and maintenance of all Asda stores.

Find it. Buy it. Build it. Manage it. Maintain it. 

Essentially, there are five aspects to the challenge of store development and property management. First, find it: Strategic Development colleagues locate towns and cities across the country where we would like to build Asda stores. Our Property colleagues then find specific sites in these areas to build stores on.    Next, buy It: Our Property colleagues secure deals with landowners to buy land for the new stores - usually subject to getting planning permission. This is then approved by the Asda Board and by our parent company Walmart. Then, build It: Once we have planning permission, our construction and implementation colleagues build the store, ensuring it is on time and to budget. After that, manage it: Our Property Estates colleagues manage our existing chain of stores and also our portfolio of commercial properties. Finally, maintain It: Our partners, City FM, maintain our stores on a day-to-day basis.