Co-op today (2) revealed its commitment to continued convenience growth with a planned 75 new stores opening this year across the UK.
The new stores will be both Co-op estate stores and Co-op franchise stores, a sector the convenience retailer has actively pursued recently with strong growth.
Co-op’s plans for new stores in 2025 include up to 25 new Co-op operated stores – with the first new Co-op stores to open in early 2025 in Salford Quays – The Anchorage and East Benton – Newcastle Upon Tyne.
Furthermore, up to 50 stores are expected to open and operate as a franchise this year, enabling Co-op to bring its products and the benefits of membership to more communities, and operate in locations where it may not otherwise be able to access.
The move builds on franchise growth in 2024 which included innovative new locations where Co-op shares its convenience expertise with quality partners.
Last year saw Co-op franchise stores open on more university campus; a first for Co-op with a store opening in a hospital, on petrol forecourts (in partnership with EG On The Move), plus a Co-op store at HMS Collingwood (in partnership with ESS) to enhance the lived experience of service personnel.
Up to an additional 80 existing stores will also undertake major refurbishments in 2025, maximising the potential of Co-op’s existing portfolio of properties to serve and support communities, and creating stores which are fit for the future while ensuring Co-op maintains a store in every postal area.
Matt Hood, Co-op’s Managing Director said: “We want everyone to have easy and convenient access to a Co-op store, wherever they live, and this year we are completely focused on achieving that through an ambitious and exciting new stores strategy.
"Not only are we a membership organisation owned by our six million members, we are experts in convenience shopping, where we combine great quality products, value and deals and ethical retailing with quick online delivery services, community participation and additional customer services.
"Our stores play an active role in local life, and are often a community hub, providing the products and services our members and customers want and need.”
Co-op is working to grow its share of the quick commerce market to over 30 per cent by focusing on both its own Co-op platform and with its partners including Just Eat, Uber Eats and Deliveroo. Co-op has been named top grocer across all major delivery platforms, and stores in more communities will further support ecommerce reach and growth.
Plus, as part of Co-op’s commitments to carbon reduction, it has announced ambitions to install up to 76,000 solar panels on up to 700 of its sites across its food, funeral care and logistic portfolio over the next three years.
Co-op is on track to achieve its ambition of growing to eight million members by 2030, with new stores bringing the benefits of membership, including member savings, to more local communities.
