In 1999, Walmart purchased Asda, a leading UK grocery chain, for $10.8 billion. The move was seen as a way for Walmart to gain a foothold in the UK market.
However, Walmart has recently announced that it is selling Asda to rival grocery chain Sainsbury’s for $10.1 billion. The sale is still subject to regulatory approval and is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
This move signals a shift in strategy for Walmart, which has been struggling to compete with Amazon in the US market. Walmart has been selling off some of its other international assets in recent years, including its operations in Brazil and China. The sale of Asda will allow Walmart to focus on its core US market and invest more heavily in e-commerce and other areas where it is competing with Amazon.
The UK grocery market is highly competitive, and Asda has been struggling to compete with the likes of Sainsbury’s, Tesco, and Morrisons. This sale will allow Sainsbury’s to become the second largest grocery chain in the UK, behind Tesco. It remains to be seen how this will impact the competitive landscape in the UK.
Conclusion: Does Walmart own Asda in the UK? No, as of recently Walmart has sold Asda to rival grocery chain Sainsbury’s for $10.