Asda has announced that it is resuming its Express convenience store opening programme after a pause to focus on converting the 469 sites it acquired from the Co-op and EG Group.
The first of the new Asda Express stores will open in Castleford in early October, followed by 20 more across the UK over the space of a month from late October onwards.
The new stores will see Asda grow its footprint in high-footfall urban areas, residential locations, and transport hubs – sites where the retailer has traditionally had limited presence.
The Express stores typically stock up to 3,000 branded and own-label products for ‘top up’ shops, alongside lunch-on-the-go and dinner options.
The group noted that its combination of choice and competitive pricing has resulted in the Asda Express sites outperforming the wider convenience market, with like-for-like growth of 8.6% in the second quarter of this year.
“We’re thrilled to kick off the next phase of our Express rollout and bring our heritage in delivering outstanding value to more locations across the UK,” said David Lepley, Chief Supply Chain Officer.
“In just three years, we’ve grown from zero convenience stores to establishing a major presence in the channel, with almost 500 stores by the end of the year. This continued investment reflects the confidence we have in our convenience strategy and our focus on bringing Asda’s low prices to more local communities.”
NAM Implications:
- ‘If it works, why not continue?’
- As fast as possible…
- In a race against the clock, supercharge the good bits.
- Fingers crossed…
