SHARES STRONGLY UP/DOWN this week 12/12/05 (Master RSI)

The Telegraph, Asda's green policy is blowing in the wind
By James Hall (Filed: 11/12/2005)


Asda, the supermarket owned by Wal-Mart, the world's biggest retailer, will unveil a new energy-efficient store format next year as it looks to bolster its green credentials.

The retailer will also apply for planning permission to install wind turbines at six of its UK distribution centres at a cost of £9m. If planning permission is granted, the turbines will be rolled out to all 24 Asda distribution centres.

The eco-supercentre format will be based on two experimental stores in the US, which are part of Wal-Mart's drive to invest $500m (£285m) annually in reducing greenhouse gases. One of the stores - in Aurora, Colorado - is made from concrete recycled from a nearby runway and is partially heated using left-over vegetable oil from the chicken fryer at the store's deli counter.

The plans will be announced as part of a strategic update by Andy Bond, Asda's chief executive, on Tuesday.