Co-op on Friday (17) launched its first new store of 2025 in Salford Quays as the convenience retailer embarks on plans to accelerate convenience growth.
The new Co-op convenience store is located in commercial retail space on the ground floor of the Anchorage Gateway, Salford Quays - a 29-story residential development located close to the area’s media, education and cultural hubs.
The launch of the new Salford Quays store comes after the retailer revealed ambitions to open up to 75 new stores this year, consisting of both Co-op estate stores and Franchise stores.
In addition, Co-op has plans for around 80 further stores to undertake major refurbishments in 2025 - transforming the stores to serve and support their communities and to maximise the potential of Co-op’s existing portfolio of properties.
The Salford Quays store offers an extensive range of fresh, healthy produce; food-to-go and meal deals, Fairtrade products, an in store bakery, hot food and award winning wines. Supporting UK farmers all of Co-op’s fresh meat – including in its ready meals, pies and sandwiches - is 100 per cent British.
Member prices create additional value for Co-op’s member-owners, with lower prices on the products shoppers buy most.
Added services include Costa Coffee Express, payment services via PayPoint and parcel collection and returns through an InPost locker.
The store will act as a fulfilment hub for Co-op’s leading Quick Commerce operation, with the online delivery of groceries becoming available shortly after launch via Co-op’s partners Just Eat, Uber Eats and Deliveroo. Orders are picked fresh in the local store, and delivered quickly and conveniently to homes and offices locally.
Soft plastic recycling is also available in the store, enabling consumers to return harder to recycle materials such as crisp packets and bread bags, lids from ready meals, biscuit wrappers and, pet food pouches.
Rachel Hargreaves, Director of Property, Development and Estates, Co-op, said, “I am delighted to see Co-op’s first new store of 2025 launch. We are working to acquire new retail space, both freehold and leasehold, and to maximise the potential of our existing estate as part of our convenience growth ambitions.
"Our stores are designed to be a destination locally, a community hub combining great quality products, value, deals and ethical retailing with quick online delivery services, community participation and additional customer services – we have a clear focus on growing our convenience business, and enhancing the value we create and deliver for our member-owners and their communities.”
Simon Williams, Co-op’s Salford Quays Store Manager, said, “The whole team is excited to launch Co-op’s newest store, and Co-op’s first new store of the year.
"We pride ourselves on being able to deliver the quality, choice, added services and value which can be enjoyed by everyone, and we are really looking forward to welcoming residents, office workers and, those visiting Salford Quays and all that it has to offer into Co-op’s new store. We’re here to contribute to local life and conveniently serve and support our community.”
Co-op’s Anchorage store opens between 7am-10pm daily. With other Co-op stores in Salford Quays including those in Media City which launched in 2022, and in Clippers Quay.
Carlsberg Britvic is celebrating its official launch today (17) following the completion of the deal for Carlsberg Group to acquire Britvic plc.
In a landmark moment in the history of Carlsberg Group and the British drinks industry, today (17) marks the official launch of Carlsberg Britvic – the new company uniting Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company (CMBC) and Britvic’s UK business.
Carlsberg Britvic’s strong national footprint brings together CMBC’s breweries and leading in-house secondary logistics operation – with 15 depots servicing customers across the UK – with the dynamic packaging and production capabilities of Britvic.
The business is now the largest multi-beverage supplier in the UK, making the UK Carlsberg Group’s largest market by revenue in the world.
Across soft drinks, beer, and cider, Carlsberg Britvic is home to many iconic and popular brands. Its compelling soft drinks range includes well-known names such as Pepsi MAX, 7UP, Tango, Robinsons, J2O and Fruit Shoot, through to fast-growing breakthrough brands including the plant-powered Plenish range and Jimmy’s Iced Coffee.
These leading soft drinks brands will now sit alongside the Group’s flagship Carlsberg Danish Pilsner, as well as 1664, Birrificio Angelo Poretti and Brooklyn Brewery beers, as well as leading British ales such as Hobgoblin, Pedigree and Wainwright.
Paul Davies, formerly CEO of Carlsberg Marston Brewing Company, will take up the position as CEO of the newly formed Carlsberg Britvic in the United Kingdom, effective 17 January 2025.
Davies said, “This is a historic moment for everyone across our unique combined multi beverage business, I am immensely proud to have the opportunity to lead this new company, featuring so many iconic brands and so many dedicated and talented people.
"As we look to the future together, Carlsberg Britvic will demonstrate the important values that underpin our dedication to our customers, our consumers, our people and our planet.
“Carlsberg Britvic combines the fantastic qualities of both businesses and our shared ambition to grow the UK beverage category through our unique proposition across soft drinks, beer and cider.
"We are all eager to build a successful future together as we create new opportunities, integrate our operations and continue to deliver excellent choice, product quality and service to our customers.
“On behalf of everyone at Carlsberg Britvic, I would like to thank all those whose effort, commitment and passion have made today possible.”
Davies began his Carlsberg career in Marketing with Carlsberg UK in 2007 and has subsequently held the positions of VP Marketing and VP Sales for Carlsberg Sweden, and VP Craft & Speciality for Carlsberg Group in Copenhagen.
In January 2019 he was appointed Managing Director of Carlsberg Poland, where he was also Chairman of the Polish Brewers Association.
Davies is supported in his role by the new Carlsberg Britvic Executive team.
The new company will combine the strong shared values of CMBC and Britvic, maintaining ambitious targets in areas such as sustainability and equity, diversity and inclusion, while also delivering the highest standards of customer service and quality.
Accompanying the official launch, Carlsberg Britvic will be revealing its new corporate identity next week, which will be rolled out across the business as part of the integration of its operations in the UK.
Boparan Holdings Limited (BHL), the parent company of 2 Sisters Food Group, has announced the appointment of Paul Friston as its new group chief financial officer (CFO).
Friston will join the 2 Sisters Food Group business in early February and become a member of the BHL board.
He has a 28-year track record in financial and corporate leadership roles at Marks and Spencer, taking on senior finance, strategy, commercial & transformation roles, as well as holding the post of managing director of M&S' International business for six years.
Friston takes over from Nigel Williams who has decided to return to return to Australia for family reasons.
“I am delighted to welcome Paul to 2 Sisters,” Ranjit Singh, president of BHL, said.
“He joins at an extremely important time for the business and I look forward to working closely with him as we execute our ambitious sustainability and investment plans in the coming years which will shape our business for the next generation."
Friston added: “2 Sisters is a dynamic business, I know it well and very much respect it as a food manufacturing leader in the UK, so I am extremely happy to be joining the team.
“There are clearly many challenges for the food sector in such a competitive and cost-conscious environment, but the potential of a business as ambitious and significant as 2 Sisters is a truly exciting prospect. I look forward to playing my part in taking the company forward.”
A resident of Oxfordshire has started a campaign to raise funds to install metal shutters for Spar Minster Lovell store the front doors of which were completely devastated during a ram raid recently.
Calling the shop as "cornerstone" of her community in Oxfordshire, resident Karen Turner-Dutton is calling on people to offer donation to restore Spar Minster Lovell, owned and run by the family of retailer Ian Lewis, after its front was damaged badly during the shocking ram-raid.
"This store isn’t just a business; it’s the heart of Minster Lovell, a place that connects and sustains our village. We can’t afford to lose it," Karen states on the fund appeal's Go Fund Me page.
"Every donation, big or small, will help secure the shop and bring peace of mind to Lyn and Dave. Let’s come together to protect this vital part of our community and show the Lewis family how much they mean to us."
The funds are being raised for metal shutters to prevent future break-ins, a Smoke Cloak system to deter and neutralize intruders and for an upgraded alarms for faster response times and better protection.
During early hours of Dec 27, five individuals smashed through the front doors of Spar Minster Lovell near Witney in Oxfordshire and used a vehicle to pull an ATM machine through the premises, causing extensive damage to the shop’s infrastructure and stock.
They made off with the cash machine, which had about £2,500 inside. Around £1,000 in stock was lost; the fridges were also damaged due to the impact.
Lewis told Asian Trader at the time, "The cash machine was at the back of the store. It was pulled and dragged right through the chiller and ambient area, causing extensive damage to the store, chiller doors and, stock.
“The automatic doors of the store were replaced recently on Dec 17, after the last break in that happened in September. We haven't even paid that bill fully and the doors are now completely damaged. This is over and above all the damage that the store sustained.
"Since the machine was at the back, almost the whole store has been shattered since it was pulled and dragged through, breaking everything that came on the way."
The ram-raid incident came as a shock to the community as well. Many locals and regular shoppers reportedly helped Lewis and his family to clear the shop floor which was filled with broken glasses and spilled stock.
As the shop reopened, they had to board up the doors which makes it look like it is closed. This has meant passing trade has significantly decreased, leaving Lewis about £30,000 down.
Still disturbed by the incident, Lewis thanked Karen for launching the fund-raising campaign.
"Your kindness and effort mean the world to us, and we’re incredibly grateful to have such supportive members in our community. Every bit of support makes a difference, and together, we can ensure the store remains a safe and welcoming place for everyone," Lewis wrote on social media.
He also thanked AF Blakemore & Son Ltd for their "ongoing support during this tricky period".
Lewis wrote, "The banners and posters they designed and printed in record time will hopefully help make customers aware that we are open."
The recent ram-raid has been devastating for Lewis' family, particularly his elderly parents who were sleeping upstairs during both incidents.
The business has been in Lewis’s family for generations, set up by his grandmother in 1937.
The store was targeted for the second time in three months. Earlier in September 2024, a group of four masked men were caught on store's camera trying to break in the store before they cut the CCTV connection.
In Glasgow's East End, Davie’s Mobile Grocery Shop is rewriting the rules of convenience retail. Operated from a van, this innovative store brings groceries and essential services directly to the community, making shopping easier and more accessible.
Through a partnership with Payzone, Davie has extended his offerings to include bill payment services, enhancing both customer convenience and his business prospects.
After identifying a need for more accessible shopping options, Davie ventured into mobile retail, creating a unique business model that’s as practical as it is innovative.
“It’s essentially a store on wheels. I sell almost everything you can buy in a traditional convenience store, but instead of having a retail space, I use a van and travel around the East End of Glasgow,” Davie has said.
Beyond selling groceries, Davie’s mobile shop has become a social hub. It’s a space where locals not only pick up their essentials but also connect with one another.
“I enjoy speaking to different people every day. I have regulars now, and it’s nice to chat with them and find out how they and their families are getting on,” he added.
Like traditional convenience stores, Davie’s shop offers a range of products including everyday essentials such as bread and milk, which are the top sellers; food items such as tea, coffee, cold meats, bacon, sausages; household goods including toiletries and cleaning products; and a range of treats and snacks.
By bringing these goods to his customers, Davie makes shopping accessible for those who might struggle to visit a store.
“It allows people who aren’t able to travel, for whatever reason, to pick up their groceries and pay their bills without having far to go,” he said.
Davie’s partnership with Payzone has elevated his business by integrating valuable services like gas and electric top-ups and regional offerings such as SPT ZoneCards.
“It’s definitely brought new customers to the van. Most people also spend money buying groceries, so it’s helped improve turnover,” he said.
Kraft Heinz has launched an innovation challenge that invites start-ups from around the world to come up with more sustainable food packaging.
The FMCG giant has partnered with the Rethinking Material Summit for the challenge, which is looking for packaging solutions for food that are recyclable or compostable, long-lasting and user-friendly.
Kraft Heinz aims to bring the winning idea to life with the help of its packaging R&D teams, who hope to collaborate with the winner to identify viable solutions that will advance the company’s packaging portfolio.
Three finalists will be announced on 16 April and invited to pitch live on stage at the Rethinking Materials Summit at the Hilton London Bankside, 13-14 May, reaching a global audience of manufacturers, CPG brands and investors.
The winner will be announced at the Summit and will receive feedback and insights from members of Kraft Heinz’s Global Innovation team.
Linda Roman, Director of Packaging at Kraft Heinz, and North America R&D Fellow, commented, “At Kraft Heinz, we know collaboration is the key to unlocking solutions for the future of packaging, especially when we’re thinking about all the requirements that food packaging must address: safety of the product, consumer use preferences and options for disposal or reuse once the product has been enjoyed.
"We’re excited to see the innovative solutions start-ups will bring to the table and look forward to supporting them in creating a more sustainable future for food.”