Asda to open 110 convenience stores in February
Leeds-headquartered Asda says it will open 110 Asda Express convenience stores in February – a record for a single month.
It says this will accelerate its growth strategy in convenience and put it on track to reach 1,000 UK stores in total for the first time.
The supermarket will convert 109 former convenience stores acquired from the Co-op and EG Group to Asda Express this month (with one additional organic opening), as part of a multi-million pound investment and its commitment to become the second largest grocery retailer in the UK.
It aims to convert all 470 convenience sites acquired from the Co-op and EG Group to Asda Express before the end of March.
The supermarket had converted 259 sites by the end of January, in addition to the eight organic Asda Express sites already open.
The openings in February will also bring Asda’s combined supermarket and convenience estate to its biggest in its 58-year history.
Asda’s ongoing expansion into the fast-growing £40bn convenience and £60bn food to go has been a key pillar of the retailer’s strategy since the acquisition by the Issa brothers and TDR Capital completed in 2021.
Andy Perry, vice president of Convenience, said: “Asda’s significant investment in building a nationwide chain of convenience stores is a key component of our long-term strategy to become the number two player in UK grocery.
“February is a transformational month for programme with a record number of store openings and conversion of all former Co-op sites to Asda Express sites.
“The teams have worked at pace to reach this point and we look forward to bringing Asda’s quality and low prices to many more communities across the UK.”
The new stores opening in February are located in all corners of the UK. Many stores are opening in locations across southern England – an area where Asda has traditionally been underrepresented.
Yorkshire and Humber openings include: 97 Boroughbridge Road, York; York Road, York; Bradford Road, Liversedge; 495 Harrogate Road, Leeds; 303 Dewsbury Road, Leeds; Scarborough Road, Bridlington; and Littlefair Road, Hull.
