Asda and B&Q wind up in-store trial of DIY concessions

Asda and B&Q have terminated their in-store tie-up, with the closure of eight concessions.

The move will affect 57 staff, though the DIY chain said they would be offered jobs at nearby stores.

Asda launched the partnership with B&Q, with a new ‘store within a store’ concept, in 2020, with the concessions offering a range of paint products as well as tools, hardware and other DIY essentials.

At the time it said the move was aimed at capitalising on customers looking to cut down on their number of shopping destinations because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The 2,000-3,000 sq ft concessions offered a broad range of B&Q products in-store and also click & collect via the diy.com website.

An Asda spokesman said of the move, first reported in Retail Week: “Following a ‘test and learn’ trial between B&Q and Asda, both businesses will continue to build on the learnings but will not be continuing with the concessions in Asda stores.

“The proposition was well received by customers, and Asda will use the lessons learned to help inform its wider concessions strategy.”