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Asda plans more stores thanks to summer growth

Leeds-headquartered retailer Asda has confirmed that a period of growth over the summer will help it invest in more stores, petrol stations and its Click and Collect operations faster than anticipated.

Like-for-like sales, for the 12 weeks to 5th July 2013, grew 0.7 per cent, and, as a result, the retailer now plans on accelerating investment in technology and infrastructure to increase Click & Collect and mobile capacity.

Asda said its sales had been boosted by its ability to keep prices down whilst at the same time investing in creating a multi-format, multi-channel business.

Bosses have confirmed that multi-channel formats remain central to its so-called “Clicks and Bricks” strategy, accelerating investment in technology and infrastructure to make shopping more convenient.

Planned new developments include the launch of a same-day grocery collection service at its Wakefield store this month – a first for UK grocery retail. The company has also announced that it will speed up the rollout of grocery shopping collection to almost 250 sites by the end of 2013.

Andy Clarke, President and CEO of Asda, said: “We’re pleased with our results in a tough market. We continued to grow our sales while also investing in holding down the price of essentials, increasing access points to Asda’s value and putting money back in customers’ pockets when they need it the most.

“Our focus on opening up more ways for more customers to shop with us, particularly in areas currently underserved by Asda, provides us with real opportunity to grow space and channels to adapt our business to today’s customer.”

Asda said that it expects 75 per cent of customers to shop through multiple channels this Christmas and will maximise its relationship with its parent company, US-based Walmart, to introduce new in-store and technology innovations for customers.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Anna Addison .