Asda is planning to open a record 110 Asda Express convenience stores this February as it inches closer to its target of 1,000 stores nationwide.

The supermarket giant is looking to convert 109 former Co-op and EG Group convenience stores into its Express format this month, with one additional organic opening, as reported in Retail Gazette.

The new openings come as part of a multi-million-pound investment by the supermarket as it looks to leapfrog Sainsbury's as the second-largest grocery retailer in the UK.

The store conversions form part of Asda's pledge to transform all 470 former Co-op and EG Group locations before the end of March. It has converted 259 so far including this refurbished and rebranded store in Tuffley.

The supermarket's expansion into the convenience and food-to-go sector has been a key part of its strategy since it was bought by the Issa brothers and TDR Capital in 2021.

The Express stores will stock up to 3,000 branded and own-label essential products and will be located in all areas of the UK.

Andy Perry, Asda's vice president of convenience said: "Asda's significant investment in building a nationwide chain of convenience stores is a key component of our long-term strategy to become the number two player in UK grocery.

"February is a transformational month for the programme with a record number of store openings and conversion of all former Co-op sites to Asda Express sites.

"The teams have worked at pace to reach this point and we look forward to bringing Asda's quality and low prices to many more communities across the UK."

The new openings come amid reports that Asda co-owner Zuber Issa is seeking to offload his stake in a break away from his brother and fellow co-owner Mohsin Issa.