By Conor Sharkey

STAFF at Strabane's ASDA store had one million reasons to smile this week, after breaking the chain's Northern Ireland sales record.

Last week, the Railway Road store registered record sales in excess of £1m, over double the average weekly takings compared to the same period last year.

Since its £15m re-vamp in July 2007, the 37,000sqft store has created 180 new full and part-time jobs, making it one of the District's biggest employers.

Much of the store's success is attributed to its close proximity to the Border.

Currently, Euro spend accounts for approximately 33 percent of the store's total sales.

ASDA Strabane's General Manager Eugene Teague said he was overwhelmed with the reaction from the North West to the refurbished store.

"The response from local shoppers has been incredible. We thought our extended range and low prices would prove popular in the area, but we've been bowled over with just how busy the new store has been; even ten months later.

"With increasing demands on customers' pockets, our priority is working hard with our suppliers to keep prices, not just of individual products, but of the average basket, as low as possible.

"For the 10th consecutive year ASDA has been declared the UK's cheapest supermarket, and this hard work is now reflected in these great sales figures," Mr Teague added.