Asda Stores Ltd. (ASDA) is a British supermarket chain that retails general merchandise, food, toys, clothing and financial services. The company is also a mobile phone network, known as Asda Mobile. Asda’s headquarters are located in Asda House, Leeds, West Yorkshire. Asda is currently the third largest supermarket chain by market share in the United Kingdom.
Asda was started back in 1920 by a group of Yorkshire dairy farmers, at that time it was called Hindell’s Dairy Farmers Ltd. In 1949, following a series of acquisitions, the name was changed to Associate Diaries & Farm Stores Limited. However, it was only in 1965 that the name “Asda” was adopted after the company merged with Asquith’s chain of three supermarkets. The name “ASDA” (capitalized) is an abbreviation of Asquith and Diaries.
In 1990, Asda introduced its very own range of clothing that goes went under the brand name “George.” The label is named after George Davies, founder of “Next”, who was the chief designer. Asda’s “George” clothing is marketed as quality fashion clothing at very affordable prices. Walmart also sells the George brand of clothing at various international outlets.
After Asda was taken over by Walmart, there have been several new Asda Walmart Supercentres that have opened up in the United Kingdom. However, from 2008 onwards, all new Supercentres have been branded as “Asda Supercentres”, without the “Walmart” branding. There are over 565 Asda stores located all across the United Kingdom, with several more new locations about to be opened shortly. In fact, Asda has planned to open over 100 new non-food stores in the next five years ending in 2015. In February 2011, Asda purchased six stores from Focus DIY which were converted into supermarkets.
Being the third largest supermarket chain in the United Kingdom has not stopped Asda from being the supermarket chain with the lowest prices 16 years running, as their slogan says. Asda offers a broad range of goods apart from groceries like; electrical goods, women’s clothing, men’s clothing, shoes, gifts, entertainment, baby clothing, various insurances and other products and services.
These are just a few of the places where Asda is located: Ashford, Aberdeen, Armadale, Arleston, Beckton, Benwell, Beverley, Llangefni, London, Luton, Malton, Manchester, Worcester, Workington.
