// Asda plans to open 30 Asda Express stores across the UK next year, rising to 300 by 2026
// The convenience roll out is part of a long-term strategy to overtake Sainsbury’s as the UK’s second-largest supermarket
As the third largest of the UK’s supermarkets, Asda differs from market leaders Tesco and Sainsbury’s in one key area: convenience.
Where Tesco Express and Sainsbury’s Local stores take pride of place in busy city centres or on the corner of residential neighbourhoods, Asda’s store portfolio has been restricted to traditional supermarkets or larger out-of-town superstores. That is, until now.
Looking after the the roll out of Asda’s new local format is its vice president of wholesale and convenience Steve Shirley, who has pinpointed exactly what it needs to offer in order to gain traction within the sector.
“We will be the cheapest convenience store in the UK,” he tells Grocery Gazette at the recent Tottenham Hale store opening. “Out of Tesco, Sainsbury’s and the Co-op, we already offer the best value by far.”
Read the full interview on Grocery Gazette.
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