Asda is gearing up to launch approximately 20 new convenience stores later this year. The first Asda Express store is scheduled to debut in Castleford in early October, with additional openings in various locations following soon after. These stores will offer a wide range of up to 3,000 branded and own-label products, catering to the essential needs of customers such as milk and bread.
The upcoming stores will be strategically situated in urban areas, residential neighborhoods, and transport hubs. This initiative comes on the heels of Asda’s acquisition of 469 convenience store and fuel sites from Co-op and EG Group. The first Asda Express store was introduced in 2022.
David Lepley, Chief Supply Chain Officer at Asda, expressed excitement about the next phase of the Express rollout, emphasizing their commitment to delivering value across the UK. The company has rapidly expanded its convenience store presence in just three years, reaching almost 500 stores by the year’s end.
This ongoing investment underscores Asda’s confidence in its convenience strategy, focusing on making their low prices accessible to more local communities.
In addition to this development, Asda recently unveiled plans to revamp 180 of its in-store cafes as part of a £180 million investment. The upgrades will feature digital ordering screens and table service options, in addition to traditional manned tills.
A new menu is set to be introduced, offering a variety of dishes like smashed avocado on toast, katsu chicken curry, salad bowls, wraps, nachos, loaded fries, and Asda pizzas in different flavors. The updated drink selection will include flavored iced coffees and a range of cakes. Popular classics like full English breakfast and fish and chips will remain on the menu.
The cafe refurbishment, managed by Compass Group, is slated for completion by the end of October. Asda currently operates 205 cafes, with the well-loved Kids Eat for £1 promotion set to continue.
This move aligns with Asda’s commitment to enhancing customer experience and providing a diverse range of quality food offerings.