Asda

Gavin and Stacey star Larry Lamb has launched our new Chatty Cafés initiative to help combat loneliness and isolation this Christmas as part of our "Don’t be Gnome Alone this Christmas" campaign.

We are transforming our store cafes into Chatty Cafes where senior citizens can come together, eat and drink, and make new friends. It follows our Christmas Community report which surveyed more than 1,000 over 60s and found that one in 10 aren't sure they will speak to anyone between December 15th and January 1st.

Larry, who shared a cuppa with customers at the launch of the scheme at our Basildon store, said: "I’m very fortunate to be surrounded by friends and family this time of year, but that’s not the case for everyone, and it’s so important that we all club together and help combat loneliness. It’s heartbreaking to think that so many over 60s in Britain might not speak to anyone at all over the extended Christmas period. Asda’s going all out to bring people in this Christmas and make them feel seen and heard, and spread a little Christmas joy. I’d urge everyone to do the same. If there’s somebody, anybody – young or old – who you know is going to be struggling for company this Christmas, pick up the phone or go and pay them a visit – and obviously, pay a visit to one of Asda’s Chatty Cafés.”

just leaving this here in case santa's watching - gnicky

"Wow Asda, your cracking Boxing Day Christmas sandwich is AMAZING! 😍 I'm absolutely in love", "One of the best shop bought sandwiches I have ever tried" and "I had the Christmas Club sandwich today it was delicious!" – just some of the great things customers are saying about our new festive sandwich range 💚

All festive sandwiches are included in the 3 for 2 meal deal in the Food To Go, and are available in stores 🛒

Asda announces Christmas sandwich range - including festive curry wrap Asda has launched its 2024 Christmas sandwich range - now available in stores and online across the UK - with two new flavours joining six fan favourites making a highly-anticipated return.

Gnome-body told you? Guess it was on the down-low 📩 ✨

Our Gnome of Christmas Market will feature 5 mini market stalls all tailored to match the individual passions and personalities of each gnome! From magical mince pies to glorious grazing, gnome-body does it better so come say hi to our gnomies 🎄

from our gnome, to yours

gnome-body guessed it was us ! hehe woops

Ashton has been reunited with her beloved plush dog Violet thanks to the detective skills of security colleague Gordon from our Dundee Kirkton store.

Ashton, who's autistic, has had Violet since she was a baby and uses her to keep her calm and grounded. She lost her one day when she fell out of her bag as she walked to college. A passer-by found the toy and put her on the wall of our car park before taking a photo and posting it on local Facebook group Dundee Lost and Found. But when her family went to pick Violet up she was no longer there. The family scoured the area with torches and even looked in bins but to no avail ... and that's when Gordon got involved, searching through CCTV tapes until he spotted that Violet had been taken down from the wall by one of our cleaning colleagues who'd spotted her but didn't know who she belonged to.

The store's community champion Sam got in touch with the family and Ashton's grandma Myra and mum Shelly were at the store within minutes to collect Violet. Shelly said: "We are so grateful to Gordon; he's a hero. We were all blown away by the kindness of everyone. It just shows the power of community.

"Ashton was absolutely distraught when she'd lost Violet – she got her for her first Christmas. She takes her everywhere with her and helps her to navigate new situations. Ashton struggles to see the world without Violet beside her. She'd just started a life skills course at college and was taking Violet there when she somehow fell out of her bag. She burst into tears when she got Violet back; she was over the moon."

Our new festive crisp flavour, Roasted Camembert and Garlic, is already a favourite with shoppers! 🎄

Customers on social media are calling it a "gamechanger" and adding them to their Christmas list. Other shoppers are saying, "Had these the other week, very nice and garlicy", "They're pretty good! The Camembert is stronger tasting than you'd expect!" and "These are nice 👍got some yesterday".

We've also brought back our other popular festive flavours of the Extra Special favourites: Beef & Red Wine Gravy and Pigs in Blankets 😋

Pick up a pack for just £1 🛒

Subject to availability in stores and online: https://bit.ly/3BVTgyN

Roasted Camembert & Garlic Crisps spotted at Asda! 🧀

The team here at Asda Eastbourne are committed to supporting local partners in getting important health messages out to the public.

We recently welcomed colleagues from the Sussex Bowel Cancer Screening Programme to speak to customers and staff about spotting the signs of bowel cancer, tips for talking to the doctor, steps to reducing risk and information about bowel cancer screening. Community champion Katie said: "Cancer is much more common in people over 50, but it can affect anyone of any age Early diagnosis saves lives, by the end of 2024 those aged 50 -74 will be eligible to receive a kit through the post every year, so do it, don't bin it, screening saves lives. If you have more questions about the bowel screening programme, call the free NHS helpline on 0800 707 60 60."

To bring a touch of festive cheer this Christmas, Asda Eastbourne awarded £400 from an Asda Foundation's Empowering Local Communities Grant to help support East Sussex Foster Care Association and their Christmas party.

The party, which took place on Sunday 3rd December, saw children in care and their foster families enjoy festive food, games and a gift from Father Christmas.

– Katie, Asda community champion

A big thank you for all our generous customers and colleagues who raised £1,133 for. this year's BBC Children in Need appeal.

Customers were treated to singing fundraising group Vocalise, followed by a tombola and topped off with a visit from children's entertainer, Uncle Bumble.

– Katie, Asda community champion

Colleagues have been showing their support for Tickled Pink by wearing pink and creating their own T- shirts.

– Katie, Asda community champion

I was thrilled to have been able to award £400 from the Asda Foundation to the Street Pastors.

The Street Pastors offer assistance to other agencies, such as the police, council and ambulance service every Friday and Saturday evening, from 10pm to 3am supporting the night time economy in the town centre. The grant will be going towards much-needed first aid essentials, water and flip-flops. Pictured here with me are Bernie, Cindy, Rosie and Bob.

– Katie, Asda community champion

We welcomed volunteers from National Coast Watch Institution, Newhaven.

The charity , which are run by volunteers offer vital support to the coastguard, RNLI and coastal partners to provide eyes across the coast to assist in the protection and preservation of life at sea and along the United Kingdom coastline.

There are 2627 watch keepers at 61 stations. Volunteers are trained to deal with emergencies offering skills and experience, funds raised go towards keeping equipment maintained and safe.– Katie, Asda community champion

As part of Armed Forces Day we welcomed Blue Van Drop-in to raise awareness of the amazing work they do to support ex veterans their families and carers.

We also saw some Asda customers grabbing a few essentials before they went out into the community to support the day at local events.

– Katie, Asda community champion

As part of our commitment to supporting local residents through our local foodbank charities, Martyn from Eastbourne Foodbank came in to collect donations.

Huge thanks to all that donated. If you're in store look out for the donation trolley.

- Sam, Asda community champion

We had the pleasure of having Simon and some of the team from SERV Sussex Fundraising outside store.

SERV supplies a rapid means of transporting emergency blood, X-rays, notes and samples to hospitals all over Sussex during the night. All the volunteers provide their own transport and pay for fuel themselves.

They were a pleasure to have instore. If you are part of a Charity or good cause that would be interested in fundraising or raising awareness in store then please contact [email protected]– Sam, Asda community champion

Happy retirement to our wonderful checkouts colleague Jean who's worked at our store for the last 22 years.

She will be greatly missed by all of our colleagues and customers. Enjoy your retirement Jean!

– Sam, Asda community champion

A huge thank you to Julie and Will for looking after a customer who tripped and fell on a pedestrian crossing as she walked to our Eastbourne store, cutting her lip and face.

After her husband and another customer helped the lady into the store pharmacy colleague Will and front-end section leader Julie took over, calming her down, treating her cuts and advising her husband to get their car to take her to hospital. The lady, who needed stitches to her mouth, later wrote to the store's community champion Sam to nominate Julie and Will for Asda service superstar awards. She said: "I cannot thank Julie and Will enough for the attention they showed me while I wasn't aware of how bad my injuries were." Sam says the whole store are proud of Will and Julie's actions.