Asda Begins 170-Store Upgrade Program
U.K. grocer Asda recently launched a $63 million (or 50 million pounds) store upgrade program designed to improve the shopping experience for customers in its larger supermarkets and superstores.
The program started at a Long Eaton store in Nottingham and will span 170 stores, according to a May 31 media release. The program is expected to be complete by the end of November.
As part of the program, 50 larger stores will receive major upgrades, including new in-store services and features. This includes a department dedicated to Asda clothing private label George in some stores and new foyers, seasonal aisles, food-to-go services, counters and flooring and lighting.
The remaining stores will receive refreshed exterior and interior decorations to reflect Asda’s enhanced brand identity, which includes an updated logo, typography and color palette.
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These stores will also receive new trolley bays (aka shopping cart space in parking lots), signage, improved bathrooms and exterior landscaping work.
Stores in Coventry, Altrincham, Dundee, Charlton and others will undergo revamps over the coming months. Work will take place over a five-week period, though stores will remain open during with “minimal disruption expected,” per the release.
“We are always looking at ways in which we can improve the overall experience for our customers and this program is one of the many ways we are actively doing that,” said Ian Brackenbury, senior director of construction and implementation, Asda. “Starting with our supermarkets and superstores, this significant investment allows us to upgrade our stores by launching new and exciting services, whilst making significant improvements to the existing components of our established stores.
“This program marks another exciting milestone moment for us on our journey and underpins our continued commitment to ensuring Asda is set up for long term success,” he added.
The move to upgrade larger stores builds on Asda’s investment made during the first quarter to convert all 470 convenience stores acquired from EG Group and the Co-op to Asda Express. This gave Asda a total estate of more than 1,000 U.K. stores for the first time, according to the release.