ASDA is to open 25 new shops across the UK this year as it plans major expansion of convenience stores.
The supermarket is looking to grow its offering of smaller stores in order to cater for shoppers residing in city centres and towns.
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Asda is planning to open its new Express stores between June and Christmas 2025.
It represents just one area of the retailer’s push to return to its former glory after its sales fell by five per cent in February 2023.
The supermarket’s wider market share has also shrunk over the past few years as it competes with renowned budget shops like Aldi.
Asda looks to compete with Sainsbury’s and Tesco – which currently hold the biggest market share of supermarkets in the UK.
The supermarket’s new chairman, Allan Leighton, appears to be the driving force behind the gargantuan expansion.
He told the Telegraph: “Our job is to fix it – but not just to fix it.
“We have to build it, reset it, turn it into what it was.”
TDR Capital and Issa Brothers are to fund the expansion, with their cash going to new outlets, price reductions, and refurbishments of existing stores across the country.
The locations of the new Asda Express stores are yet to be revealed.
STORE WARS
Last Wednesday, Sainsbury’s entered the growing supermarket war by announcing it will invest £1billion to improve its pricing.
It was responding to a similar vow from rival Tesco this month, while Asda said in March it would slash prices in a bid to turn around its fortunes.
Sainsbury’s reported that profits rose by 7.2 per cent to £1.03billion for the year.
Grocery sales grew by 4.5 per cent, while sales at its Argos arm slipped by 2.7 per cent to £4.9billion.
With grocery proving to be the battleground, Sainsbury’s boss Simon Roberts said he will “extend food space within many of our existing stores”.
He also plans to open 40 stores this year, a move the chain said will bring 700,000 more people within a ten-minute drive of Sainsbury’s.
AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould said: “When Asda fired the opening salvos in a UK supermarket price war, the markets immediately sat up and took notice.
“And latest updates from Tesco and now Sainsbury’s suggest this was the right call.
“The main winners in a price war would ultimately be shoppers.”
Supermarkets will face falling revenue if the price war takes hold.
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.”
