UK: American retail giant Wal-Mart opened the doors at its first UK supercentre for business today

The huge 93,000 sq ft store near Bristol has been converted from an existing Asda hypermarket following the US firm's £6 billion takeover of the British company last year. It covers two acres and has been converted at a cost of £15 million and employs more than 800 staff. Wal-Mart says prices at the store at Patchway, next to the M5, are aimed at undercutting rivals by an average of 10 to 15 per cent, with some items 60 per cent cheaper.As well as the usual food sections, shoppers can also buy anything from televisions and baby clothes to household goods, toys and spectacles.The Bristol store is to be followed by two more supercentres at Havant, Hampshire, and Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands. A further seven stores are planned to be opened before the end of 2005.