November has seen Asda invest £94.5 million in opening four new stores throughout the UK and re-branding two existing branches with the Wal-Mart name.

Three branches opened today in Blackwood, Darlaston and Park Royal, and earlier this month another store was unveiled at Bishop Auckland. Meanwhile, branches in Edinburgh and Watford were converted to Wal-Mart status.

Asda's president Tony DeNunzio said: 'November has formed the major focus for this year's expansion plans. The variety of stores opened further illustrates our ability to flex store formats to suit the needs of communities we trade within.' The new stores have helped create 1,600 jobs and Asda says it is boosting local economies by £16 million in just one month.