ASDA United Kingdom

Previously owned by retail giant, Walmart Inc., Asda is a British supermarket chain headquartered in Leeds, West Yorkshire. Asda was founded in 1965 when Associated Dairies partnered with Asquith brothers who managed a chain of self-service supermarkets. 

In February 2021, the company was acquired by EG Group. Currently, the business operates 633 retail stores serving more than 18 million customers every week. Moreover, an e-commerce platform is at the disposal of its customers. 

Asda operates in different retail formats:

• Supercentres offer a wide food range as well as non-food, often supported by concessions such as food service offers, banks, hairdressers and dry cleaners.
• George is an online fashion store, a subsidiary of Asda. It is present in the 560 stores of Asda exclusively. It's largest store measures more than 100,000 ft2.
• Superstores is the most common format of the company. The superstores offer a large fresh food offer and introduce a Cafe, Pharmacy, Optician, larger George and non-food offers.
• Supermarkets are the smallest format of all. The smallest store which measures 300 ft2 is in Leeds. They mainly focus on food and convenience and offer essential non-food items.
• Asda Living stores are dedicated to George and non-food- products.
• Asda convenience stores can be spotted at filling stations as well.

In the financial year 2021, Asda achieved a turnover of €23 billion and it currently employs over 145,000 employees. 

Products in the following categories are offered:

• Savory Grocery: rice, pasta, noodles, condiments, etc.
• Sweet Grocery: jams, coffee, tea, biscuits, etc.
• Drinks: soft drinks, juice, water, beer, spirits, wine, etc.
• Dairy: milk, milkshakes, yoghurts, etc.
• Chilled & Fresh Food: soup, ready-meals, snacks, etc.
• Frozen Food: chicken, fish, meat, ready-meals, ice cream, etc.
• Personal Care: hair care, oral care, fragrances, face care, etc.
• Household: air fresheners, laundry care, bleach, disinfectant, etc. 

Asda distributes products from brands like Kellogg’s, Quaker, Alpen, Air Wick, Glade, etc. 

Asda offers a range of products under its private labels such as (non-exhaustive list): 

• Asda: this brand covers almost all product categories. 
• Extra Special: this brand includes products such as drinks, fruits, meat, etc. 
• Just Essentials: basic products are available at its lowest price. 

Concerning logistics, the business operates 42 distribution centres nationwide including 20 food depots, 3 clothing centres, 2 ambient GM hubs, 2 import centres, 1 national sortation centre, 5 dot.com fulfilment centres and 9 ASCs. Asda delivers to every shop across 5 store formats as well as customers’ homes and to store for Click and Collect. 

Moreover, in 2021, Asda delivered 1.5 billion cases with cooperation of over 12,500 colleagues working across the distribution function. The retailer increased its bio-gas HGV fleet to 342 vehicles and invested in 6 biogas stations. Asda aims to operate almost 1,000 biogas trucks and invest in 10 further bio-gas stations by 2024. 

IPL sources the products for Asda, covering various categories. IPL looks for products for Asda’s private labels and for other brands as well. With plans to develop specific categories, it has been widely recognised that the IPL model works by improving relationships between the retailer and its supply base.

Asda’s online store can be accessed on www.groceries.asda.com