Asda is launching a £50m store upgrade programme designed to improve the shopping experience for customers in its larger supermarkets and superstores.
The grocer’s programme, which starts at its Long Eaton store in Nottingham before running across 170 stores in total, is expected to complete by the end of November.
Asda said 50 of its larger stores “will receive major upgrades”, including the introduction of new in-store services and features.
This will include a brand-new George department in some stores, as well as new foyers, seasonal aisles, food-to-go services, counters, and flooring and lighting.
It said the remaining stores will receive “refreshed exterior and interior decoration” to reflect its recent brand identity launch, which includes an updated logo, typography and colour palette.
These stores will also receive new trolley bays and signage, improved toilet facilities and exterior landscaping work.
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Over the coming months, work will be carried out in Asda stores in Coventry, Altrincham, Dundee and Charlton.
Work will take place over a five-week period and stores will remain open during this time with “minimal disruption expected”, the retailer said.
Asda senior director of construction and implementation Ian Brackenbury said: “We are always looking at ways in which we can improve the overall experience for our customers and this programme is one of the many ways we are actively doing that.
“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 programme 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.”
The supermarket’s move to upgrade larger stores builds upon the significant investment made during its 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 UK stores for the first time in its 59-year history.
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