Asda targets London for new Express store expansion

Asda is to open seven new Express stores in London as it kicks on with its convenience store expansion plan.

This week, it will open new stores at locations near Tower Bridge, Greenwich, Limehouse Station, Harringay, Deptford, Whetstone and the former Arsenal FC club shop at Finsbury Park station.

They come alongside a new store in Botley, near Southampton, and in Stoke, also set to open this week, “bolstering” Asda’s presence across southern and central England.

The nine new locations are the latest in a wave of 20 new Express stores Asda planned to open throughout October, after restarting its standalone expansion plan in August.

The supermarket would target high-footfall, urban locations and transport hubs, where its presence so far has been limited.

Each new store will offer a range of 3,000 branded and own-label products. They will be equipped with electronic shelf-edge labels “from day one”, after Asda announced a new partnership with Vusion Group to add the tech to 250 Express stores, earlier this month.

“We’re thrilled to be opening nine new Express stores this week, including seven in London – an area where we have traditionally had less of a presence in convenience,” said Joseph Sutton, VP Asda Express, foodservice and fuel, who returned to Asda to lead the convenience rollout last month.

“These openings are a key part of our strategy to bring Asda’s unbeatable value to more urban areas and residential communities across the UK,” Sutton said.

“We know customers have looked forward to these stores opening for a long time, and we’re delighted to welcome them in and offer outstanding value across their favourite products.”

Asda opened the first of the planned 20 in Castleford, Yorkshire last week. It also plans to open new stores in Manchester and Liverpool.