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Wal-Mart may have a different name in Great Britain—it's Asda—but it still offers customers everything from bacon to pants. Now the chain's 34 Scottish markets also offer religion, with volunteer, in-store chaplains. "It is all part of our efforts to provide the local community with a one-stop shop," a customer service manager at a Glasgow Asda explained to The Daily Record. David Downie, retail managing director for Asda Scotland, told The Scotsman, "The job is certainly not about preaching—the chaplains have a very low-key presence and are there to chat or listen to our customers and colleagues, whatever their faith." Erik Cramb, head of the Church of Scotland's Industrial Mission, says it's a wonderful idea: "People lead such busy lives that often it is hard to find time for religion."

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Two Scottish newspapers, The Daily Record, and The Scotsman, have run stories on the chaplains.

The Asda corporate website has more information on the stores.

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August 5 2002, Vol. 46, No. 9