Supermarket chain Asda has unveiled plans to expand its retail footprint in the UK with the launch of 21 new Asda Express convenience stores by the end of January.  

The move is part of the supermarket chain's strategy to convert the convenience stores it acquired from the Co-op and EG Group into its Asda Express brand.  

The retailer opened five of these stores on 22 January in locations including Stoke-on-Trent, Derby and Crawley. 

The expansion is in addition to the opening of 17 other stores earlier in the month in areas such as Southampton, Cardiff and Clapham.  

Asda Express stores will offer up to 3,000 products from essential items to meals for on-the-go consumers. 

Asda convenience vice-president Andy Perry stated: "After pausing our convenience rollout during the festive period, the programme is now in full swing once more.  

“We have exciting plans to accelerate the programme over the next couple of months with the aim of converting all 470 stores acquired from the Co-op and EG Group to Asda Express before the end of Q1 [the first quarter of 2024]. We are looking forward to opening our doors and welcoming customers in new locations right across the UK.” 

The expansion into the convenience sector is a critical aspect of Asda's growth strategy, which has been its focus since the company's acquisition by the Issa brothers and TDR Capital in 2021.  

In December 2023, the company announced its plans to open a record-breaking 81 new Asda Express stores across the UK.