Asda to Invest in 2013

Asda (Leeds), Britain’s second-biggest grocer, has announced it will invest more than  £700 million ($1 billion) this year on, among other things, building new stores and renovating existing units. The investment will also boost its online operations and supply chain.

Ten new stores are on the drawing board for 2013: five superstores, four new small-format supermarkets and one non-food outlet.

The British arm of Walmart Stores Inc. (Bentonville, Ark.) currently operates 568 stores in Great Britain. Two new stores have already opened this year.

According to the Reuters News Agency, Asda said the focus of its investment has shifted to accelerating its multichannel business, with stores supporting internet and smartphone channels.

The firm is investing in “click and collect” facilities, in which customers order online for collection in store, specifically for its George line of apparel and general merchandise in all its stores. Customers will be able to collect grocery shopping from almost 200 outlets by the end of 2013, including from stores and lockers at Asda gas stations.