Asda opens record 81 new Express stores

Asda has opened a record 81 new Express stores this month as it accelerates its push into the convenience channel.

The conversions of recently acquired Co-op and EG UK sites, alongside the opening of eight standalone Asda Express stores, brings the total number of sites so far to 229. A further 254 are due to be converted by the end of the first quarter next year.

Asda noted that, including its existing supermarkets, the c-store opening programme will expand its portfolio to over 1,000 stores across the UK and Northern Ireland – the biggest estate in its 58-year history.

The latest openings include Asda’s first convenience store in Manchester city centre and three new London stores in Romford, Acton and Ealing. Asda plans to open a further 11 Express stores in the capital next year as it looks to grow its footprint in an area where it has traditionally been underrepresented.

Addressing Asda’s gap in the growing convenience market has been a key pillar of the retailer’s strategy since its acquisition by the Issa brothers and TDR Capital in 2021.

“It has been a Herculean effort by the teams involved in our Asda Express rollout to convert 81 stores in one month as part of our commitment to bringing Asda’s great value offer to even more communities,” said Andy Perry, MD of Convenience at Asda.

“Expansion into the growing convenience market is a key pillar of our long-term strategy to become the UK’s second largest supermarket retailer – and we know how important Asda’s great value is to families managing cost of living pressures – especially in the run up to Christmas.”