Asda is set to resume its Express convenience store opening programme in early October, with up to 20 new shops on the way.

The new stores will see the supermarket increase its footprint in high-footfall urban areas, residential locations, and transport hubs, areas where Asda has traditionally had limited presence.

The programme will resume with the launch of a Castleford Asda Express site in early October. This will be followed by openings in up to 20 more UK locations in the space of a month from late October onwards.

Asda chief supply chain officer David Lepley said: “We’re thrilled to kick off the next phase of our Express rollout and bring our heritage in delivering outstanding value to more locations across the UK.

“In just three years, we’ve grown from zero convenience stores to establishing a major presence in the channel, with almost 500 stores by the end of the year.

“This continued investment reflects the confidence we have in our convenience strategy and our focus on bringing Asda’s low prices to more local communities.”

The rollout marks a return to Asda’s standalone Express store openings, building on its integration of 469 convenience and fuel sites acquired from the Co-op and EG Group.

The retailer highlighted that its Asda Express sites had outperformed the wider convenience market, with like-for-like sales growing of 8.6% over its second quarter.

Earlier this month, it was reported that Asda was pumping £1m into store upgrades across Yorkshire and nearby regions, as part of its wider strategy to modernise its estate and enhance the in-store experience.

Click here to sign up to Retail Gazette‘s free daily email newsletter