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ASDA is a chain of supermarkets in the United Kingdom offering food, clothing and general merchandise products.
The name is a contraction of
Associated Dairies and was founded in 1965 by a group of farmers from Yorkshire. It became a subsidiary of Wal-Mart on July 26, 1999. At last count the company had 259 stores and 19 "depots". The chain employs 122,000, as of August 2003. The company is also engaged in property development through its subsidiary company, Gazeley Properties Limited. Following the take over by Wal-Mart several "Asda-Wal*Mart Supercentres" have appeared, being some of the biggest supermarkets in the United Kingdom.The first such one appeared at Cribbs Causeway , near Bristol and opened in June 2000 after converting the hypermarket. It was critizised for it's size and being an eye-sore (Previously the hypermarket had more appealing looks). They also removed the upstairs café in favour of a smaller one downstairs. In November 2004 a refurblishment of the hypermarket was completed, addressing some of the complaints
Asda are known for two famous marketing campaigns. The trouser pocket tapping "Asda price" campaign and the smiley face "rollback" campaign as used by Wal*Mart.
ASDA have their own range of clothing known as George. These are marketed as being quality fashionable clothing at affordable Asda prices.