Asda confirms plans to open seven convenience stores in Wales as part of Co-op deaL

Asda has today confirmed that it will be opening seven convenience stores in Wales, as part of its program to convert 116 Co-op petrol forecourts into Asda Express sites.

Forecourts that are currently run by the Co-op in Bullith Wells, Pontyates, Colwyn Bay, Coedpoeth, Cardiff, Rhuddlan and Rogerstone are set to be converted to Asda Express stores by the end of March 2024.

Asda acquired 132 sites from the Co-op last year in a £438m deal as part of its long-term strategy to become the UK’s second largest supermarket, by moving into the fast-growing convenience £40bn convenience market.  The acquisition received regulatory approval from the Competition & Markets Authority in June after Asda agreed to divest 13 sites to satisfy competition requirements.

The converted Asda Express sites will stock up to 3,000 branded and own-label products to suit a broad range of customer needs including ‘top up’ shops for essential items such as milk and bread, grabbing lunch on the go or cooking dinner from scratch.

Customers can also be reassured that they’ll be making a saving when Asda comes to town as the base prices in Asda’s current Express stores are on average 8.9% cheaper* than The Co-op.

Andy Perry VP of Convenience at Asda said: “The opening of our first Asda Express store in Scotland is an incredibly exciting moment for our business as we accelerate our presence in the fast-growing convenience market. We look forward to bringing Asda’s great value in fuel and groceries to more communities in Scotland as we progress our store conversions.”

In addition to the recently converted Asda Express stores, the supermarket currently has three stand-alone Express stores in England – Sutton Coldfield, London (Tottenham Hale) and Calne. Upcoming sites include Manchester Oxford Road and Romford Station, which are due to open in the coming months.

The new Asda Express stores are wholly owned and operated by Asda. They are separate from the Asda On the Move convenience sites, which are located on garage forecourts owned and operated by EG Group.