Asda to create 5,000 jobs this year The 25 new stores will add over 600,000 square feet of net selling space, through superstores, small format supermarkets and Asda Living outlets. Morrisons, one of the UK's Big Four supermarkets, also announced plans to create thousands of apprenticeships last year but the positions also went to existing staff, raising questions over the Government-backed programme. Asda currently trades from 528 UK stores and depots, employing over 180,000. The firm has not yet updated on Christmas trading. Earlier this month Tesco sent shockwaves through the sector when it reported a disappointing Christmas performance and issued a profit warning.