Many thanks to you both, Andrew and Blu. It sounds frightening in many respects. I guess we don't have stores that large here in the UK, at least not down South. Some of our grocery supermarkets (eg: Tesco, Sainsbury, Waitrose) are selling cosmetics, Videos and CDs, and small ranges of minor electrical goods (kettles, toasters, etc.), but I haven't heard of any branching out much further than that. We have DIY superstores such as Homebase and B&Q which take care of the timber, paints, tools and garden equipment. Maybe they'll all merge one day (hopefully after I'm long gone!)

Rhino, I had no idea that ASDA was part of Wal-Mart. Mind you, although I know of ADSA I have never been to one of their stores. I'm not really sure where their nearest branch would be - possibly Brighton or Southampton (30 - 50 miles away).

Thanks for all the info.