// Asda opens first standalone ‘Asda Express’ convenience store
// The store has opened in Sutton Coldfield in the West Midlands, creating 17 new jobs
Asda has opened the doors to its first standalone ‘Asda Express’ convenience store as it rolls out the format.
The first store opened in Sutton Coldfield in the West Midlands, with a second Asda Express store set to open at Tottenham Hale next month.
A further 30 sites will follow next year as the grocer puts convenience at the central of its long-term growth strategy.
Asda, which was bought by the forecourt tycoons the Issa brothers last year, has set the ambition of overtaking Sainsbury’s to reclaim its spot as the UK’s second largest supermarket group.
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The new store in Sutton Coldfield is purpose built in a residential area giving local residents the opportunity to shop in a convenient neighbourhood location.
It stocks around 3,000 products, including a range of fresh, ambient and chilled groceries, as well as products from Asda’s premium Extra Special range and a selection of beers, wines and spirits.
Customers can also buy hot and cold ‘food for now’ options from Asda and from partner brands including Leon, plus ‘food for later’ choices such as ready meals and a selection of £10 meal deals for two people.
The store also offers ‘toyou’ parcel collection and return services and shortly after opening will offer a rapid delivery service through Uber Eats.
Asda co-owner, Mohsin Issa said: “The launch of our first Asda Express convenience stores is a landmark moment 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. The stores are separate from the Asda On the Move convenience sites, which are located on garage forecourts owned and operated by EG Group.
