Asda Convenience Expands
Asda Launches New Wholesale Convenience Model with Glasgow Pilot, Targeting UK Expansion
Key Points
Pilot stores reported around 20% like-for-like growth, with food-to-go and chilled grocery up by more than 100%, while tobacco and alcohol sales remained broadly flat.
Investment in the rollout has varied by source: initial reports cited around £1 million, but Better Retailing later notes the project will exceed £2 million by year-end.
One O One operates roughly 50 convenience stores in Scotland’s Glasgow area, indicating the scale of the partner network the format is targeting beyond the three pilot sites.
Asda has created a dedicated wholesale leadership line, with Martin Hill named as head of wholesale to drive the expansion and support wholesale partnerships.
Asda intends to partner with at least three groups comparable to One O One within the next 18 months to broaden the wholesale convenience model.
Asda has launched a new wholesale format called Asda Convenience, opening three pilot stores in Glasgow in partnership with independent operator One O One Herald Scotland. The format is distinct from Asda's existing Asda Express stores and is built specifically to supply independent retailers with around 3,500 products, including Asda own-label goods at Asda's value prices Forecourt Trader.
Early results have been strong. Pilot stores reported around 20% like-for-like sales growth, with food-to-go and chilled grocery up by more than 100% SLR Mag. The three stores are already open, and Asda is eyeing a fast, wider rollout across the UK The Sun.
How Asda Convenience Differs From Its Regular Stores
Asda Convenience is a wholesale model, not a standard supermarket format. Rather than Asda running the stores directly, independent retailers like One O One operate them. They get access to Asda's supply chain, own-brand products, and pricing power Forecourt Trader. One O One runs around 50 convenience stores across the Glasgow area, giving Asda an established network to plug into from day one SLR Mag.
The format stocks roughly 3,500 product lines. Asda's own-label items sit alongside branded goods, all sold at prices Asda is known for Herald Scotland. Leaders from both companies said the goal is to combine Asda's range and supply chain strength with the local knowledge that independent retailers bring to their communities Retail Insight Network.
Pilot Investment Grows as Early Sales Impress
Asda initially put around £1 million into the Glasgow pilot Herald Scotland. But the project's costs are climbing fast. The total spend is expected to exceed £2 million by the end of the year as the model is refined and expanded SLR Mag. That growing investment signals Asda is serious about making this work at scale.
The early numbers back the spending. Like-for-like growth of around 20% across the pilot stores is a strong sign SLR Mag. Food-to-go and chilled grocery were standout performers, both more than doubling. Tobacco and alcohol sales held broadly flat, suggesting the format wins on fresh and ready-to-eat rather than traditional convenience staples.
Asda Builds a Team and Plans UK-Wide Expansion
Asda has created a dedicated wholesale leadership role to drive this push. Martin Hill has been named head of wholesale, responsible for growing the model and supporting new partners Forecourt Trader. The appointment shows Asda is treating this as a long-term business line, not just a one-off experiment.
Asda aims to sign at least three new wholesale partners — similar in scale to One O One — within the next 18 months SLR Mag. The plan is to move quickly once the Glasgow pilot has proved the model out. If successful, Asda Convenience could give the supermarket a meaningful foothold in the UK's fast-growing convenience market without having to build or buy new stores itself.
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