Asda plans to open its first two standalone convenience stores before Christmas under the ‘Asda Express’ brand.
The small-format stores will open at Sutton Coldfield on 8 November and Tottenham Hale, London, on 6 December.
The retailer plans to launch a further 30 sites, creating about 500 new roles, next year, as part of a ‘test & learn’ approach to developing its convenience model. It said the Express format would make up a key element of its strategic vision to become the UK’s second-largest supermarket.
Both Asda Express stores are purpose built and situated in residential areas, with each store set to stock around 3,000 products, including a wide range of fresh, ambient and chilled groceries, as well as products from Asda’s premium Extra Special range and a broad selection of alcohol.
There will also be a range of hot and cold ‘food for now’ options from Asda and partner brands including Leon, plus ‘food for later’ choices such as ready meals and a selection of £10 meal deals for two people.
Mohsin Issa, Asda’s co-owner, said: “The launch of our first two Asda Express convenience stores is a landmark moment for our great business and a key step on our journey to bring Asda to more customers in more communities right across the UK.
“The stores have been designed to cater for a broad range of customer needs – whether that’s popping in for a pint of milk, grabbing a spot of lunch on the go, or buying the fresh ingredients to cook dinner from scratch. We’re confident customers will find everything they need in these stores and enjoy the convenience of having a new type of Asda store on their doorstep.”
The new Asda Express stores are wholly owned and operated by Asda. They are separate from the Asda On the Move convenience sites, which are located on garage forecourts owned and operated by EG Group.
They are also separate from the 132 convenience stores that Asda is acquiring from the Co-op Group. That transaction is expected to complete at the end of this month and will then go through the CMA’s competition review process.