Asda has opened its 100th Express convenience store as it continues the rapid rollout of the format across the forecourt sites it has acquired from the Co-op and EG Group.
Last month, Asda completed the acquisition of EG Group’s 356 sites in the UK, five months after announcing the £2.1bn deal aimed at accelerating its growth in the convenience and foodservice channels. This followed the news that Asda had kicked off its programme to convert 116 Co-op petrol forecourts to its Express brand.
The 100th store opened earlier this week in Hexham, Northumberland, following the conversion of an EG forecourt.
A further 30 stores were opened this week in locations such as Birkenhead, Solihull, Manchester, Northallerton, Bradford and Retford.
The newly converted Asda Express convenience stores stock up to 3,000 branded and own-label lines.
An Asda spokesperson said: “This acceleration into convenience plays a key role in our ambition to grow our share and becoming the number two supermarket in the UK. We look forward to bringing Asda’s great value fuel and groceries to more communities across the UK as we continue our rollout in the coming months.”
Earlier this week, Asda revealed that its like-for-like sales increased 2.8% in its third quarter to 30 September – a sharp slowdown from growth of 9.6% in the previous three-month period and well behind its key rivals.
NAM Implications:
- High speed keeps Asda ahead of its debt.
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- One for risk-seekers…
