Asda to open 20 new Express stores in the UK in just four weeks

The new stores will see Asda grow its footprint in high-footfall urban areas, residential locations, and transport hubs.

Asda is preparing for one of its busiest months yet in its British convenience retailing journey. From late October, the supermarket will open 20 new Express stores in the space of just four weeks, a rapid rollout that underlines its ambition to gain ground in a highly competitive market. The programme will be set in motion a few weeks earlier, when a new Express site opens in Castleford in early October.

The choice of locations reflects where Asda sees untapped potential: residential areas, transport hubs, and city neighbourhoods where it has not been a regular player. Each store will stock around 3,000 lines, balancing branded goods with Asda’s own labels, and targeting everyday missions such as picking up essentials, grabbing a quick lunch, or shopping for dinner.

The timing also highlights a renewed push to grow organically after a period focused on absorbing nearly 470 Co-op and EG Group sites. By adding a cluster of fresh openings in a short window, Asda is sending a signal to both shoppers and competitors that it intends to compete on convenience, not just on price.

The strategy seems to be gaining traction: sales at Asda Express outlets rose 8.6% in the second quarter of 2025, well ahead of the broader convenience market. Whether the same momentum carries through this next wave of openings will show how firmly the retailer can establish itself as a challenger in everyday local shopping.