Asda is to take over the Sainsbury Savacentre superstore in the Eastgate Centre, Basildon.
The store is expected to close on March 13 and will undergo a major refurbishment before reopening.
It employs 480 full and part-time staff.
All are being told their jobs are safe and they may even be paid while the store is closed. The move could spark a trade war with Basildon's other giant store, Tesco at Pitsea, bringing benefits for shoppers.
Eastgate general manager Hans Wustefeld said: "This is every exciting news. Asda is owned by the world's biggest retailer, Wal-Mart, and we look forward to seeing the new operation up and running.
"It promises to bring added prosperity to a centre that has enjoyed great success last year and is the perfect way to start 2004."
A spokeswoman for Asda said: "We can't say how long the store will be closed but obviously we will be working to make sure it is opened as soon as possible.
"The colleagues currently working at Sainsbury's are going to be offered jobs at the new Asda and we will have discussions with Sainsbury's about paying them in the interim period."
Published Monday January 19, 2004
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