Supermarket giant Asda is to create 2,500 jobs by investing £700 million in “clicks and mortar” and same-day delivery.

After annoncing 2012 sales of £22.8bn, up 4.% on 2011, the company with outlets across the county said it would create new stores, upgrade existing ones and invest more in its online operation. It has also pledged same day delivery of grocery home shopping, claiming this would be a world first.

While bricks and mortar are central to its growth, Asda said it would invest more in “accelerating its multi-channel business.”

Andy Clarke, chief executive, said: “I’m proud that in the continuing and very challenging trading environment we were able to increase total sales by 4.5% last year. This shows that we are continuing to get it right for customers.

“By focusing on their needs through accelerating our investment in the technology and infrastructure to make shopping more convenient, customers can shop for what they want, when they want it.”

Asda is Britain’s second biggest online grocer, with double-digit year on year growth and increased demand from customers shopping online.

Asda is also investing in Click and Collect facilities for George clothing and general merchandise in all its 568 stores and customers will be able to collect grocery shopping from almost 200 outlets by the end of 2013, including from stores and lockers at Asda petrol stations.

Under a Collect Plus deal, customers can buy George and Asda Direct items online and collect or return them at more than 5,000 convenience stores and petrol stations across the UK.

The retailer is also planning to open 10 new stores, including four new small format supermarkets, five superstores and one new non-food outlets.

Asda, part of the US-based Walmart superstore group, employs more than 175,000 people in its 568 stores and depots across the UK.