The recruitment drive is designed to fulfil a variety of roles, including 500 posts in Asda’s depots and 1,500 home delivery driver positions.

The company is also offering starting bonuses across some of its HGV driver roles.

Asda has said that there will be opportunities for some of the seasonal workers recruited to remain with the company into the New Year, to cover permanent staff who take holidays after the busy Christmas period.

Hayley Tatum, chief people officer at Asda, said: “We will do all we can to make sure customers have a fantastic Christmas and recruiting an extra 15,000 colleagues across our stores, depots and home delivery service will help us to provide them with great products and excellent service when they shop with us during the festive season.”