A new service is arriving at Asda stores across the UK that could change how customers organise everyday chores. The supermarket chain has begun rolling out hundreds of self-service laundry machines in store locations nationwide, allowing shoppers to wash and dry clothes during their regular grocery trips. The initiative, developed in partnership with a specialist laundry operator, aims to combine convenience with practicality for households looking to save time. The rollout will bring hundreds of units to supermarkets, supercentres, and express locations over the coming months.
Hundreds Of Self-Service Laundry Machines Arriving At Asda Stores
The project involves the installation of more than 700 self-service laundry machines across Asda locations throughout the UK. These units are being deployed through a partnership with ME Group International, a company that already operates thousands of public laundry facilities in multiple countries. The machines, branded Wash.ME, are designed to give customers the ability to wash and dry clothing quickly while they carry out their grocery shopping.
The units are expected to appear outside or near store entrances, making them easy for customers to access before or after entering the shop. Each machine offers different drum sizes, including 9kg and 20kg capacity options, meaning shoppers can tackle anything from a small load to large household laundry such as bedding or towels. High-speed drying cycles are also part of the system, allowing customers to complete the process in a relatively short time.
As reported by The Sun, the rollout will reach a wide range of Asda locations, including Supercentres, Superstores, standard supermarkets, and Express outlets. Some of the machines will operate 24 hours a day, particularly at sites that already offer extended opening hours. The idea is simple: customers can start a wash, complete their shopping, and return to collect clean and dry clothes before leaving the store.
Retailers Expanding Services Beyond Groceries
Supermarkets have increasingly explored ways to provide services that go beyond food retail. Fuel stations, parcel lockers, and coffee counters have already become common features in many large stores. Laundry machines represent another attempt to turn supermarket locations into practical hubs for everyday tasks.
For Asda, the new rollout reflects a broader effort to simplify routines for customers juggling busy schedules. Joseph Sutton, Vice President Asda Express, foodservice and fuel, explained the reasoning behind the initiative.
He said:
“We’re always looking for new ways to make life easier for the customers who shop with us, particularly by strengthening the breadth of services that meet their needs under one roof.
This large-scale rollout of Wash.ME units gives customers a quick, convenient and great-value way to tackle their laundry while they shop.”
The concept targets shoppers who want to combine errands rather than making separate trips. By placing the machines directly at supermarket locations, the company hopes to create a practical solution for households with limited time, smaller washing machines at home, or occasional larger loads that require industrial-size equipment.
Partnership With A Major Laundry Service Operator
The rollout relies on collaboration with ME Group International, a company specialising in automated service machines including laundry facilities and photo booths. The firm already manages more than 7,600 Wash.ME machines across 12 countries, with about 1,500 currently operating in the UK.
By partnering with a national supermarket chain, the company gains access to high-traffic locations that are already part of customers’ weekly routines. These locations, often combined with petrol stations and large car parks, make them suitable for self-service equipment that customers can access easily.
Vladimir Crasneanscki, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of ME Group, highlighted why the retailer’s network of stores provides an attractive environment for the machines.
He said:
“Asda is a perfect company to partner with, their retail and petrol stations are excellent locations for our services.”
The partnership reflects a wider trend in retail infrastructure where supermarkets become multipurpose sites hosting services ranging from parcel collection to financial services.
What It Means For Shoppers Across The UK
For customers, the new machines could introduce a practical alternative to traditional laundrettes or home washing. Larger drum sizes can handle bulky items that domestic machines struggle with, while the high-speed cycles aim to reduce waiting times.
The availability of 24-hour access at certain locations may also appeal to shift workers or customers who prefer to run errands outside peak shopping hours. Combined with a grocery trip, the service could turn what would normally require a separate journey into a single stop.
As the rollout progresses across the country, the presence of these machines at supermarket sites signals a shift in how retail spaces are used. Grocery stores are no longer just places to buy food. Increasingly, they are becoming practical hubs where multiple everyday tasks can be completed in one visit.
