SUPERMARKET group Asda is revamping two North-East stores and increasing the number of Supercentres it runs in the UK to 13, as part of an aggressive expansion programme.

Asda is opening more Supercentres as well as opening or revamping ten supermarkets in a bid to close the gap on Tesco and Sainsbury. Asda's parent, Wal-Mart, said sales and operating profits at Asda "were ahead of plan" in the three months to April 30. The revamped supermarkets include stores in Bishop Auckland and Hartlepool.

LATTICE HIT: Gas pipeline group Lattice has taken a £250m charge to cover the lower value of its loss-making broadband unit 186K. The company, which is involved in a merger with National Grid, said the move came after a strategic review carried out in light of the downturn in the telecoms market. It is now considering the sale or partial sale of 186K, with the value of the operation's fixed assets written down to less than £100m.

BOEING DEAL: Catering firm Compass has won a ten-year deal to feed more than 80,000 staff employed by aircraft manufacturer Boeing in the US. Compass subsidiaries in the US will provide food and vending services at sites in Oregon and Kansas in a contract that begins in July.

NEW MAN: Former Next chairman Lord Wolfson of Sunningdale is poised to take over at the helm of clothes firm William Baird. Lord Wolfson, whose son Simon is Next's chief executive, will join the Glasgow group as a non-executive director. He will then take over as chairman "in the near future" with current incumbent Sir David Cooksey stepping down.

jobs ADVICE: The British American Chamber of Commerce in the North-East is holding a breakfast presentation on US and UK employment law on Tuesday, May 21, at Eversheds in Newcastle. from 8am to 9.30am. For details, contact Carole Wright on 0191-386 1133.

US DEALS: Contracts worth £37.5bn are up for grabs for British companies in the US. Trade Partners UK is holding a seminar at York Racecourse on Tuesday, May 21, for companies wanting to find out more. Details are available from Crest Communications on 0247 6642 428