Who Owns Asda?

Asda was founded in 1949 as Associated Dairies & Farm Stores Ltd., a group of Yorkshire farmers and dairies. The company was renamed Asda in 1965, combining "As" from Associated Dairies with "Da" from Dairies Farm Stores. This founding as a cooperative of local farmers and dairymen established Asda's connection to British agriculture and its commitment to providing value to customers through direct sourcing and efficient distribution, creating a foundation that would shape the company's approach to retail throughout its history.

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Asda expanded through acquisitions and store openings, establishing itself as a significant UK supermarket chain. The company developed a reputation for low prices and value-focused retailing, particularly in grocery and general merchandise. This period of growth demonstrated Asda's ability to identify and capitalize on emerging consumer trends while maintaining its commitment to value and quality that would become hallmarks of the brand's market positioning.

In 1999, Walmart acquired Asda for £6.7 billion, bringing the UK supermarket under American ownership. Under Walmart's ownership, Asda expanded its product range and store formats but faced increasing competition from discount retailers like Aldi and Lidl. This acquisition provided Asda with access to Walmart's global supply chain and retail expertise while introducing new challenges in adapting to changing market dynamics and the rise of discount retailers that would transform the UK grocery landscape.

The most significant change came in 2021 when Walmart sold Asda to the Issa brothers and TDR Capital. The acquisition marked Asda's return to British ownership and began a new chapter of integration with EG Group's convenience retail expertise. This strategic return to British ownership demonstrated Asda's ability to adapt to changing market conditions while leveraging new ownership expertise in convenience retail and digital transformation that could help the company compete more effectively in the rapidly evolving UK grocery market.