Unconfirmed media reports have suggested leading UK supermarket chain Asda is looking at potential Irish sites.

A Sunday newspaper said the American-owned firm may be poised to open stores in the country, although the paper has not attributed a source for the claims.

The paper reported Asda executives had visited sites close to the Irish border, near Donegal.

The news comes as rival Tesco continues to expand in the Republic, despite being recently refused planning for a prestigious site at Banbridge in Northern Ireland.

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Already well established in Northern Ireland, last month, Asda also unveiled a £20m investment scheme for north Belfast, which will create 150 new jobs.

The chain said it would be relocating its current Shore Road store to a new mixed-use retail and leisure development site on the Loughshore Playing Fields, where ASDA will be anchor tenant.

See: ASDA To Anchor New North Belfast Retail Scheme

See: Tesco's Banbridge Plans Get Axed

(PR)