Asda’s owners have sparked interest in the UK retail and hospitality sector by reportedly considering a bid for Costa Coffee. The coffee chain, currently on the market, could provide Asda with a strong foothold in the growing café segment, further diversifying its operations.
Simultaneously, Asda is pressing ahead with its convenience format expansion. The grocer is set to resume its Express rollout in early October, with plans to open up to 20 stores in urban and high-footfall transit locations. The move begins with a trial in Castleford, underscoring Asda’s ambitions to capture more of the convenience market at a time when consumer shopping habits are shifting towards smaller, frequent trips.