Asda bosses planning to reduce aisles and install nail bars and salons in supermarkets

ASDA shoppers could soon stop off for a shellac during their weekly shop under plans from the supermarket’s new owners.

British billionaire petrol station tycoon brothers Mohsin and Zuber Issa are hoping the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) will agree its takeover of the supermarket and they have big plans for changes.

Petrol station tycoon brothers Mohsin and Zuber Issa are reported to want to introduce nail salons inside Asda storesCredit: PR Handout

The pair are reported to be keen to find ways to boost customer spending in-store once they start running the business amid a rise in online shopping and competition from discount retailers such as Lidl and Aldi.

There are plans, according to The Sunday Times, to shrink the floor space dedicated to groceries by around a quarter to make way for everything from cafés and takeaways to nail bars and beauty salons.

Asda has separately already been making space in stores for partnerships with other brands such as Claire’s Accessories and The Entertainer.

It launched a trial with B&Q last year to let shoppers purchase items ordered online from Asda stores.

How to cut the cost of your grocery shop

SAVING on your shop can make a big difference to your wallet. Here are some tips from comparison site Money.co.uk about how you can cut the cost of your shopping bills:

Write yourself a list – Only buy items that you need. If it isn’t on your list, don’t put it in the trolley
Create a budget – Work out a weekly budget for your food shopping
Never shop hungry – you are far more likely to buy more food if your tummy is rumbling
Don’t buy pre-chopped veggies or fruit – The extra they’ll charge for chopping can be eye watering
Use social media – follow your favourite retailers to find out about the latest deals
Be disloyal – You may want to go to different stores to find the best bargains
Check the small print – It’s always worth checking the price per kg/lb/litre when comparing offers so you’re making a like for like decision as a bigger box won’t necessarily mean you get more
Use your loyalty cards – Don’t be afraid to sign up to them all. They all work slightly differently – work out what bonus suits you better and remember to trade in your points for additional rewards

A spokesman for Asda and the Issa brothers declined to comment.

Any plans cannot be implemented until the CMA approves the takeover though.

The brothers agreed a deal with Asda’s US owner Walmart in October, which would bring the supermarket to British ownership for the first time in 20 years.

They have promised to keep prices in the supermarket low and will invest £1billion over the next three years to improve its convenience and online operations.

Under the deal, the brothers from Blackburn will take a majority stake, alongside their partner TDR, a London private equity group.

Walmart will also retain a minority stake in the business as part of the agreement and keep a seat on the company’s board.

The CMA started its so-called phase one probe into the deal in December 2020 and it is due to end by April 20.

During phase one, the CMA determines whether the deal will result in a “substantial lessening of competition”.

If so, it’ll launch an in-depth assessment called phase two, although involved parties may first offer to make changes to the deal to resolve any concerns.

The CMA ruled in 2019 that a proposed tie-up between Asda and Sainsbury’s couldn’t go ahead for at least ten years over fears consumers would face price hikes.