Asda is hoping to turn more of its customers into staff with the creation of
10,000 jobs this year.
The supermarket chain is expanding its distribution network and expects to
open an additional 10 to 12 stores across the country.
Asda is aiming to repeat its successful in-store recruitment drive, which
accounted for 40 per cent of the 16,000 staff it employed last year.
Asda people director David Smith told Personnel Today the store began
looking at more innovative ways to recruit staff because of the tough labour
market in 2001. He is delighted with the results of the in-store drive.
"Last year we had lots of in-store recruitment going on with things
like shelf label advertising. Our customers are a valuable pool of recruits for
our stores and amounted to about 40 per cent of total recruitment.
"We still use some traditional methods but with employment reaching all
time highs we have to look at more innovative methods of getting new
staff," he said.
Smith claims that customers make excellent staff as they often know the
strengths and weaknesses of the store. He also put the group’s good trading
figures over Christmas – 16 per cent of the supermarket spend – down to a
motivated and focused workforce.
"Part of our success is our employment brand. We’re known as a good
employer and we try to provide a good place to work," said Smith.
