Co-op has unveiled plans to bolster its convenience retail footprint in 2025 with 75 new store openings across the UK. This includes up to 25 new Co-op-operated stores and 50 franchise locations, building on the company’s recent success in expanding its franchise model. In addition to the new sites, Co-op will refurbish around 80 existing stores, aiming to enhance the shopping experience while maximising the potential of its existing property portfolio.
The first new stores are scheduled to open in early 2025, with locations confirmed in Salford Quays – The Anchorage and East Benton – Newcastle Upon Tyne. These openings reflect Co-op’s commitment to ensuring its stores remain accessible to communities nationwide.
Franchise Growth and Innovative Locations
Franchise stores are a key component of Co-op’s growth strategy, enabling the retailer to bring its products and membership benefits to locations it might not otherwise access. This year’s expansion follows significant franchise growth in 2024, which included the launch of stores in diverse and innovative locations. Highlights included university campuses, a hospital, and HMS Collingwood in partnership with ESS to support service personnel. Co-op also extended its presence on petrol forecourts through its partnership with EG On The Move.
Store Refurbishments to Enhance Customer Experience
Alongside its expansion, Co-op plans to carry out major refurbishments in 80 stores during 2025. These upgrades aim to modernise existing locations, ensuring they continue to serve communities effectively. Early refurbishments are set to relaunch in key areas, including Exeter, Brighton, Bristol, Cambridgeshire, Hampshire, Avonmouth, Hereford, and Clapham.
Convenience and Community Hubs
Co-op’s focus on convenience goes beyond traditional groceries. Its stores act as community hubs, offering parcel collection and returns, payment services, and access to its growing quick commerce operation. Co-op stores also feature front-of-store digital media screens and provide a platform for its member-focused initiatives, which include local community support and member-price savings.
Matt Hood, Co-op’s Managing Director, stated:
“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.”
Sustainability and E-commerce Initiatives
As part of its sustainability goals, Co-op has announced plans to install up to 76,000 solar panels across 700 sites, including food, funeral care, and logistics facilities, over the next three years. This initiative underscores the company’s commitment to carbon reduction.
In e-commerce, Co-op aims to grow its share of the quick commerce market to over 30% by leveraging its own platform, shop.coop.co.uk, and partnerships with Just Eat, Uber Eats, and Deliveroo. Co-op’s stores serve as micro-distribution hubs for its online home delivery operation, enabling fresh orders to be picked locally and delivered quickly within communities.
