Asda has launched a programme to convert 116 convenience stores acquired from the Co-op Group last year to its Asda Express convenience brand.
An initial 11 sites were the first to be rebranded Asda Express, with the remaining 105 sites due to be converted by the end of the first quarter (Q1) of 2024.
Asda acquired 132 sites from the Co-op last year in a £438 million deal as part of its long-term strategy to become the UK’s second largest supermarket, by moving into the fast-growing convenience £40 billion convenience market.
The acquisition received regulatory approval from the Competition & Markets Authority in June 2023 after Asda agreed to divest 13 sites to satisfy competition requirements.
Andy Perry, who ran the acquired Co-op sites while the acquisition received regulatory approval from the CMA, has joined Asda as VP Convenience.
Mohsin Issa, Asda’s co-owner, said: “The launch of our conversion programme is an incredibly exciting moment for our business and accelerates our presence in the fast-growing convenience market.
“We look forward to bringing Asda’s great value in fuel and groceries to many more communities across the UK and to welcoming over 2,000 former Co-op colleagues to the Asda family in the coming months.”
The converted Asda Express sites will stock up to 3,000 branded and own-label products to suit a range of customer needs including ‘top up’ shops for essential items such as milk and bread, grabbing lunch on the go or cooking dinner from scratch.
According to Asda, the base prices in the current Express stores are on average 8.9% cheaper than The Co-op.
Stores open across the UK
Stores opened in all corners of the UK, including in Yorkshire, Leicestershire, Lancashire, Somerset London, Scotland, and Devon. The full list of locations include:
- Milnsbridge – Manchester Road
- Ellistown – Midland Road
- Locking – Locking Moor Road
- Hillingdon – Uxbridge Road
- Nether Poppleton – Great North Way
- Birkhill – Dundee
- Mytholmroyd – Burnley Road
- Plymouth – Wembury Road
- Bramley – Horsham Road
- Chorley – Moor Road
- Gosforth – Rotary Way
In addition to the recently converted Asda Express stores, the supermarket currently has three stand-alone Express stores in Sutton Coldfield, Tottenham Hale and Calne. Upcoming sites include Manchester Oxford Road and Romford Station, which are due to open in the coming months. Asda also confirmed that its acquisition of EG Group’s UK convenience estate is on track to complete in the final quarter of 2023.
