B&Q and Asda to test new retail concept

B&Q, the UK’s leading home improvement retailer, plan a shop within shop trial of compact B&Q stores in four Asda superstores.

The first two compact stores will open at Asda’s Dagenham and Sheffield Drakehouse stores later this year.

The 200-300sqm concessions will give customers the chance to shop a broad range of B&Q products in-store or place an order via diy.com for home delivery or Click & Collect.

• The B&Q trial concessions in Asda stores will offer a range of paint (including paint mixing) as well as tools, hardware and other DIY essentials.
• Customers will be able to shop B&Q’s full range at diy.com and order selected items online for collection from the B&Q concessions
• The trial will make it easier for customers to access a broader range of DIY essentials in more convenient locations and complete many different shopping activities in a single trip

Chris Bargate, Director of Business Development, B&Q, commented: “We believe in testing small formats and are committed to trialling new initiatives. 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: “We’re always looking at new and innovative ways to offer our customers increased choice and enhance their in-store experience, which is why we are pleased to be trialling B&Q compact stores in four Asda locations.

“B&Q’s offer will give Asda customers access to a range of essential home improvement products and expert advice as part of this new concept.

“We know that our customers will appreciate the opportunity to complete a number of missions in a single trip, as evidenced by changing shopper behaviours as a result of the pandemic.”

-ENDS-

NOTES TO EDITORS: For more info please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693.

About B&Q

• B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across over 40,000 products in 297* stores across the UK and on diy.com
• Their team of more than 15,812*‡ colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
• Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing and supports our local communities undertaking home improvement projects and raising money to fund Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit https://www.diy.com/corporate/community
• B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,300 stores in 9 countries across Europe, Russia and Turkey.