Asda supermarket shoppers will be able to pick up fasteners and tools with their weekly food shop thanks to a new deal to locate B&Q 'shop-in-shops' inside Asda stores.
The 200-300 metre² concessions will give customers the chance to shop a broad range of B&Q products in-store - including tools, hardware and DIY essentials - or place an order via diy.com for home delivery or Click & Collect. Four stores will pioneer the move, starting with Asda’s Dagenham and Sheffield Drakehouse later this year.
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The recently acquired supermarket has entered into a number of partnerships - including with the likes of online retailers musicMagpie - thanks to a shift in customer behaviour brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic, so said Asda, noting "an increasing number of shoppers looking to complete multiple shopping ‘missions’ on a single trip".
The B&Q trial concessions in Asda stores will be operated by B&Q.
"We believe in testing small formats and are committed to trialling new initiatives," said B&Q Director of Business Development Chris Bargate. “We’re delighted to be trialling with ASDA to test a more convenient way for customers to access our range of home improvement products and services.
“Our customers are continuing to adapt and change to new ways of living and shopping and this is just one way in which we’re responding by getting closer to customers and making it easier for them to improve their homes.
“The trial B&Q concession stores at ASDA will have a great selection of DIY essential items, expert help and advice from our colleagues, as well as digital access to our broader range of products.
“We’re excited by the potential of this new model and are looking forward to seeing how customers respond.”
Preyash Thakrar, Asda’s Chief Strategy Officer, said: “Our partnerships strategy is focused on making our busy customers’ lives easier. That means offering convenience when they visit our stores by bringing in complementary brands to help them complete more shopping missions in one location, and convenience that makes our great value products more accessible in local communities. We anticipate working with more businesses who share our passion for delivering value for customers in the coming months.”
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