Asda has announced plans to open its first couple of standalone convenience stores before the end of the year.

The supermarket retailer said it wants to step up its presence in the convenience market, opening 30 more stores next year, which will create around 500 new jobs.

The company said that the move forms part of its plans to become the UK's second largest supermarket.

The first stores, which will come under a new ‘Asda Express’ brand, will open in Sutton Coldfield next month and Tottenham Hale in December.

Asda Express will sell more than 3,000 products across groceries, hot and cold ‘food for now’, and Leon coffee.

The stores will be purpose built and situated in residential areas.

“The launch of our first two Asda Express convenience stores is a landmark moment for our great business and a key step on our journey to bring Asda to more customers in more communities right across the UK,” said Mohsin Issa, Asda co-owner. “The stores have been designed to cater for a broad range of customer needs – whether that’s popping in for a pint of milk, grabbing a spot of lunch on the go, or buying the fresh ingredients to cook dinner from scratch."

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