Asda’s Havant Supercentre in Hampshire may be one of the retailer’s largest in the UK, but it has learnt how to use its size to its advantage, earning it this week’s Top Store award.

The 100,000 sq ft store, which boasted excellent availability and friendly staff, maximised its aesthetic appeal with eye-catching displays of tents and inflatable boats.

People looked to affordable luxries when times were hard, said store manager Jeremy Smith, and higher-ticket items were selling well. “We have completely sold out of £100 Lay-Z-Spa hot tubs - and £200 bouncy castles, which we have had on display at the store front, have been hugely popular,” he said.

“It’s amazing how many people don’t set out to buy these big items but are prepared to make a spontaneous purchase after an hour of food shopping. The Grocer 33 cheapest retailer adverts in newspapers have reassured people that Asda is good value.”

With a majority 31% of residents classed as wealthy achievers, shoppers in Havant are more financially able to buy such items, according to CACI data.

Shoppers that didn’t normally shop at Asda were drawn in by the store’s breadth of offer and keen prices, added Smith.

“Traditionally, the more affluent shopper might not have shopped at Asda, but inflation has prompted greater footfall of people from a variety of backgrounds,” he said.

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