B&Q is to close eight of its sites in Asda stores - including one in the North East.
The DIY firm says the closures will start from March 11 and around 57 staff will be affected. The staff impacted by the decision to close the "mini-markets" are to be offered alternative roles in nearby stores, so no jobs will be lost as a result.
B&Q said the decision was made after an "intensive review" of the test format. The company's strategy director Chris Bargate said it will now focus on their smaller high street stores, B&Q locals, with a plan to expand further, reports The Mirror.
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Chris added: "Our ‘test and learn’ approach is an important part of building our strategy, and our aim to create consistent, small store format blueprints that can be scaled further across the UK. We’re continually listening to our customers and colleagues to take learnings to evolve the shopping experience in these smaller stores. We value the contribution and the commitment from our colleagues at the concession stores."
An Asda spokesperson said the proposition between the chains had been "well received" by customers and Asda will use the lessons learned to "help inform its wider concessions strategy."
B&Q's eight locations set to shut are:
- Sheffield Drakehouse
- Dagenham
- Roehampton
- Edmonton
- Thurmaston
- Great Bridge
- Lancaster
- Hartlepool
The two popular chains teamed up in 2020 in response to changes in shoppers' behaviours during the Covid-19 pandemic which saw people tie multiple shops into one single trip. The first compact B&Q stores opened up across four Asda superstores and contained a large number of B&Q's usual products, such as paint, tools, hardware and other DIY essentials.
Customers were also able to shop for B&Q’s full range online and order selected items for collection from the B&Q concessions sites. The first two sites opened in Dagenham and Sheffield, and the last sites to open were in Hartlepool and Great Bridge in December 2021.
In early 2022, B&Q launched an online marketplace where shoppers could access goods from third-party suppliers, the marketplace is available both on its website and on its mobile app.
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