Asda has teamed up with managed network solutions provider, Evolve, to strengthen connectivity across 500 Asda Express convenience stores, delivering faster and more reliable internet connection.

The multi-year deal, which will see 450 locations going live this year, will help the supermarket keep critical payments, security and store operations systems online 24/7.

“We’re committed to ensuring every location delivers the convenient, reliable services our customers depend on,” Ashley Cowley, Head of Technology Portfolio at Asda, commented.

He said the move would mean its “teams can focus on serving customers confidently, knowing the technology behind the scenes is working as it should.”

Connectivity resilience is becoming critical for retailers, as investment in store technology, from ESLs to retail media and connected shelf-edge solutions, continues to grow, placing additional strain on networks.

“Convenience retail depends on technology that works without compromise,” Evolves’ CEO Alan Stephenson-Brown, added.

Evolve’s own research shows that the average internet outage experienced by UK retailers lasts up to 84 minutes. And, with less than with 30% of payments now made in cash, downtime impacting digital payments presents a significant commercial risk and threat of lost sales.

“When payment systems fail or security systems go offline, the impact on revenue and customer trust is immediate,” Stephenson-Brown continued. “Our partnership with Asda shows that reliable connectivity underpins its Express growth strategy.”