Asda through the years - a story of innovation and saving you money
1920s – 1950s
A group of Yorkshire farmers were responsible for writing the first chapter in the history of Asda when they formed Hindell’s Dairies in the 1920s. After a successful period which saw them expand and diversify the company was floated in 1949 as Associated Dairies and Farm Stores Ltd.
At the same time the American GEN group arrived in the UK with the idea of opening large stores filled with separate stores. The idea failed to catch the imagination of British shoppers and GEN was soon looking to sell its UK holding.
1950s – 1960s
In 1958 two brothers, Peter and Fred Asquith, opened a supermarket in Pontefract and within five years they had a chain of self-service supermarkets – Queen’s Supermarkets – that proved hugely popular. They offered “Permanent Reductions” and 8pm opening on Fridays – and there were often queues of customers round the block. The Asquiths worked 18-hour days to meet demand but, despite their success, the brothers needed more financial backing to expand.
