Although we all love to get a bargain and save money on our shopping. The effect on many small businesses has been drastic. Hundreds if not thousands of corner shops, bookstores and even local butchers, and bakeries,  have gone out of business. With so many Asda stores located all over the country people would rather travel a little farther to get there groceries. books, DVDs, and electrical Goods. Many more items they would normally buy from a specialist retailer like a corner bookstore or music store even local butchers and bakers have had a huge downturn in business due to the fact that Asda and the other top supermarkets are just so cheap. An example of this was on the TV when the new Harry potter book came ou. With all the hype of people trying to Pre-order a copy, the news report arranged an interview with a local one man band bookstore who claimed  Asda were selling the New release at 3p More than it cost him to Buy. Needless to say he was priced out of the market and very few people would buy it from his store once he'd added on his profit margin, especially as most people are aware that these products are usually cheaper in supermarkets that normal bookstores.

Asda History

Asda's first shop was opened in Pontefract, West Yorkshire in 1958. Asda was sold to the massive American retailer Wal-mart in 1999. In January 2006 Asda had 21 Asda wal-mart super centres, 243 slightly smaller ASDA superstores, 5 Asda living supermarkets, 37 local ASDA village shops , 10 George stores , 24 distribution depots and they employ a massive 150,000 people.