Sainsbury’s will allow customers to make global money transfers in-store after signing a deal with financial services business Western Union.

The partnership with Western Union is part of the Sainsbury’s strategy of linking up with other companies to fill excess space in its supermarkets.

Western Union’s services will be offered in 170 Sainsbury’s Bank travel money bureaus nationwide, reports the Financial Times.

Sainsbury’s boss Mike Coupe is seeking ways to fill space in stores because he believes a quarter of the grocer’s shops have too much space.

He argues there is a future for superstores and claims their “death is grossly exaggerated”.  

Coupe has also signed a deal with Argos as part of his commitment to the future of the superstore, which will involve Argos opening 10 concessions in Sainsbury’s supermarkets.

The grocer also has concession deals with Jessops and Timpson branches.

Sainsbury’s aims to fill half of its excess space with its Tu clothing range and other general merchandise products.