Asda is set to introduce special red baskets into select stores on Valentine’s Day (14 February) to help shoppers signal they are open to chat.

The baskets are set to appear in Leicester, Liverpool and Glasgow, three locations where most people are actively looking for love, according to research from Asda.

The data also revealed 87% of Brits prefer meeting face-to-face compared to dating apps.

Over three-quarters (77%) of singles said they are not on a dating app at all, and 76% said a supermarket is a good place to meet a potential partner.

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An Asda spokesperson said: “We know people are craving real-life connections, but we also know our customers are busy and don’t always have the time to put themselves out there.

“That’s why we’re turning the weekly shop into the ultimate meet-cute. These red baskets are a fun, light-hearted way to help people connect while they’re already doing their everyday shop – a simple, playful nudge to start a chat and maybe even spark a little romance.”

Asda’s initiative is set to launch as 64% of shoppers said there was someone at their local supermarket “they quite fancy”, but more than eight in ten (82%) admitted that they feel shy about asking for someone’s number.

This comes after the retailer unveiled £12 for two Valentine’s Day deal last month, marking one of the most affordable offers on the market.