Is Walmart In The Uk Or London? (Yes, But Not What You Think)
Walmart, the mega-retailer is located in over 11,000 stores all across the globe. This company employs many millions and provides services to hundreds of millions daily.
So it might be natural that UK and London shoppers can simply go to their nearest Walmart to pick up what they need.
Walmart to Open in London or the UK In 2022
Walmart operates in the UK to hold equity investments in Asda grocery chain. Walmart originally acquired Asda in 1999, retaining its company name and marking Walmart’s entry into the UK Market. Walmart was retained as an equity investor and a board member when the majority-stake purchase of Asda by the Issa Brothers took place in 2021.
How did Walmart get into the United Kingdom
Asda, a UK-based supermarket chain, has been well-known since its opening in West Yorkshire in the 1920s.
Originally a butcher get-up, the offerings expanded, and the business grew to become a series of discount-price supermarkets.
In the 60s and the 70s, the chain expanded to the south. It eventually reached London in 1982.
Asda, however, was close to bankruptcy in the early 1990s. Rumours of a merger were also common.
The announcement that Walmart was making a $10.8 million bid to buy Asda came out in June 1999. It caused panic among UK retailers.
Asda had just dissolved talks with Kingfisher plc, and both Asda and Walmart had vehemently denied their intention to team up in the months prior.
However, it doesn’t appear like the merger could have been anything but a surprise.
Asda started opening more stores. These were called Supercentres after Walmart’s model. They also maintained a high emphasis on discounts.
It’s not surprising, then, that Walmart would have eyed the Asda chain with appreciation.
It seemed at that time like Walmart was beginning its European dominance.
But after failing to launch particularly well in Germany (under the Walmart store brand), it appears that rather than dig in deeper in Europe, Walmart is looking elsewhere to expand .
That context explains why they bought out the Issa/EG Group after exiting the UK.
Why Is ASDA Not Called Walmart?
Quora commenter has an interesting explanation of why Asda store did not transform into Walmart stores in 1999.
His opinion was that Walmart made this smart decision to protect UK customers from the Americanized take on retail, which Walmart represents.
Walmart can instead profit silently from the trust and loyalty built by UK shoppers for Asda in the second half of 20th-century.
I don’t know about you, but I get upset when my grocery store changes its layout even slightly.
The disruption caused by a total rebranding and the complete destruction of the layout of Asda’s stores would have been very disruptive.
The emotional toll is not the only one.
Practically speaking, you can imagine the cost to Walmart. Asda actually has hundreds of outlets across the UK.
What is the Difference Between Walmart And Asda?
As I stated previously, Walmart is a close enough competitor to Asda that they were able to acquire Walmart as an initial purchase.
Business Insider reporters visited an Asda as well as a Walmart in order to discover what is similar and what is different.
You will find produce shelves near the entrance of both a Walmart or Asda store.
The meat/butchers, seafood, and bakery sections are separated and placed along the side or near the back of the store.
Asda also offers ready-to-eat meals. These are the kind of foods you can just pop into the oven or microwave.
Walmart, appealing to American shoppers who love convenience, does much the same, usually with an island cooler near the deli, where you can find heat-and-eat meals in plastic containers.
Final conclusion: While the formats and variety of food were very similar, Asda has more to do with grocery shopping and Walmart has more to do with “everything”.
Which Walmart Employee Acquired ASDA?
Walmart is still technically present in the UK with their minority stake in Asda, but the new owners are the Issa brothers, billionaires and owners of the EG Group.
Walmart’s growth into foreign countries is covered in the related posts.
Walmart’s presence in the UK and London has diminished since the Asda buyout by the Issa brothers.
Walmart, however, did for 20 years operate Asda’s supermarket chain in London as part their international holdings.
Walmart seems to have shifted its focus away from the United States and is now looking towards Asian markets with the Asda sale.
.Is Walmart In The Uk Or London? (Yes, But Not What You Think)