ASDA is set to roll out a huge shake-up across 180 in-store cafes with the launch of new menu items and digital ordering screens.
One of the UK’s biggest supermarkets is pumping £10million into freshening up dozens of cafes.
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The retailer will start the makeover this month with all works set to be complete by the end of October.
The 180 cafes, managed by Compass Group, will be upgraded to include new digital ordering screens where shoppers can pick what food and drink they want.
Customers will also be able to order from their tables or via staffed tills.
A number of existing menu items will continue to be on sale including full English breakfasts, fish and chips, lasagne and jacket potatoes.
But some new ones will be added as well, including smashed avocado on toast, katsu chicken curry, topped salad bowls and wraps.
Shoppers will be able to buy full 12inch pizzas or single pizza slices from the cafes for the first time as well.
Customers can pick from flavours including margherita, pepperoni, American sizzler, spicy chicken and meat feast.
There will also be a range of hot drinks on offer as well as cold ones like iced coffees and cakes.
Asda’s “Kids Eat for £1” café meal deals will remain available.
We have asked Asda how much some of the menu items will cost and for the full list of 180 stores where cafes will be freshened up and will update this story when we have heard back.
Ian McEvans, vice president of commercial food at Asda, said: “This significant investment alongside allows us to bring a new look and feel, as well making improvements to the service and a refresh of the menu.”
It comes after some other changes at Asda, including the retailer ditching Star Products on its loyalty scheme at the start of the year.
However, the move to axe the feature came as the supermarket brought back its Rollback price commitment at the end of January.
Asda introduced the price cuts at its more than 1,200 stores meaning lower prices on 4,000 products.
Then in March, prices were lowered on 10,000 products by up to 45% as the retailer looked to steal its rivals’ customers.
New Asda boss Allan Leighton insisted the supermarket’s turnaround was on last month, despite the supermarket’s sales falling 3.1% in the four months to the end of April.
How to save at Asda
Shop the budget range
Savvy shopper Eilish Stout-Cairns recommends that shoppers grab items from Asda’s Just Essentials range.
She said: “Asda’s budget range is easy to spot as it’s bright yellow! Keep your eyes peeled for yellow and you’ll find their Just Essentials range.
“It’s great value and I’ve found it has a much wider selection of budget items compared to other supermarkets.
Sign up to Asda Rewards
The savvy-saver also presses on the importance of signing up to Asda’s reward scheme.
She said: “Asda Rewards is free to join and if you shop at Asda you should absolutely sign up.
“As an Asda Rewards member, you’ll get exclusive discounts and offers, and you’ll also be able to earn 10% cashback on Star Products.
“This will go straight into your cashpot, and once you’ve earned at least £1, you can transfer the money in your cashpot into ASDA vouchers.
We’ve previously rounded up the best supermarket loyalty schemes – including the ones that will save you the most money.
Look out for booze deals
Eilish always suggests that shoppers looking to buy booze look out for bargain deals.
She said: “Asda often has an alcohol offer on: buy six bottles and save 25%.
“The offer includes selected bottles with red, white and rose options, as well as prosecco. There are usually lots of popular bottles included, for example, Oyster Bay Hawkes Bay Merlot, Oyster Bay Hawkes Bay Merlot and Freixenet Prosecco D.O.C.
“Obviously, the more expensive the bottles you choose, the more you save.”
Join Facebook groups
The savvy saver also recommends that fans of Asda join Facebook groups to keep in the know about the latest bargains in-store.
Eilish said: “I recommend joining the Latest Deals Facebook Group to find out about the latest deals and new launches in store.
“Every day, more than 250,000 deal hunters share their latest bargain finds and new releases.
“For example, recently a member shared a picture of Asda’s new Barbie range spotted in store.
“Another member shared the bargain outdoor plants she picked up, including roses for 47p, blackcurrant bushes for 14p and topiary trees for 14p.”
Mr Leighton urged Sun readers to come back to see the UK’s third largest grocery chain’s revitalised stores.
In May last year, Asda said it would invest majorly overhaul 170 stores as part of a £50million makeover.
SUPERMARKETS SHAKING UP IN-STORE CAFES
The latest announcement from Asda on its in-store cafe upgrades comes as two other major supermarkets row back on their cafe offerings.
Sainsbury’s shut 61 in-store cafes in April as it looks to explore “future opportunities” for the spaces.
The retailer said it was closing its remaining in-store cafes due to lower footfall and as its hybrid cafe and food halls become more popular.
It is likely to replace the cafes with restaurants run by franchises, such as Starbucks and Gourmet Burger Kitchen.
In March, Morrisons said it would shut 52 cafes as part of a huge overhaul of its store estate.
The retailer also said 18 Market Kitchens, 13 florists, 35 meat counters, 35 fish counters and four pharmacies would shut.
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