Co-op has revealed its commitment to continued convenience growth with a planned 75 new Co-op stores opening this New Year across the UK.
The new locales will be both Co-op estate stores and Co-op franchise stores, a sector the group has actively pursued recently with strong growth. In addition, around 80 further stores will undertake major refurbishments in 2025, transforming them to maximise the potential of Co-op’s existing portfolio of properties, the group says.
Matt Hood, managing director, added: “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. 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’s plans for new stores in 2025 include up to 25 new Co-op operated stores – part of ambitions for 120 new stores over the next four years - with the first new stores to open in early 2025 in Salford Quays at The Anchorage and East Benton in Newcastle Upon Tyne.
Furthermore, up to 50 stores are expected to open and operate as a franchise this year (2025) - 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, such as universities.
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. Stores set to re-launch following major makeovers in early 2025 include those in Exeter, Brighton, Bristol, Cambridgeshire, Hampshire, Avonmouth, Hereford and Clapham.
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