by business editor Trevor Sturgess

ASDA shoppers should receive a big smile from staff today after the supermarket chain announced a record bonus payout and plans to create 6,000 jobs.

Every full-time employee, including hundreds across Kent, will receive up to £437.50 as part of a record £26million bonus pool.

ASDA workers with more than six months’ service can earn 20 - 120 per cent of their bonus entitlement, based on how their store or depot performs against their target. The average payout will be £278.

ASDA, part of the US-based Walmart giant with 371 stores, 23 depots and 24 ASDA Living stores across the UK, including its latest in Maidstone, said a million more customers had come through the doors in 2009.

Average basket spend also increased.

It said 6,000 new employees would be recruited this year to 10 new stores and 10 store extensions, adding to the 20,000 full- and part-timers who have joined the group in the past three years.

Chet Kuchinad, people director at ASDA said: "To announce a record bonus payout and the creation of thousands of new jobs in a challenging economic environment is testament to the successful year that we have had here at ASDA."

ASDA, which is frequently cited as the supermarket chain with the lowest prices, is to use Walmart’s buying strength to reduce prices further.

New Global Merchandising Centres, including its fresh food International Produce arm with a major depot in Sittingbourne, is to play a key role in reducing prices on imported produce such as melons, stone fruit and grapes.

It will also buy in greater volume for stores in the worldwide Walmart group.

ASDA's chief executive Andy Bond said: "We're putting the right structure in place to generate significant savings to customers over the years ahead, powered by our unique relationship with Walmart."

ASDA is announcing its full year results later today.