The Co-operative Group has put a hold on recruitment for the latest round of its Apiary incubator scheme, the company has confirmed.

The Co-op Apiary scheme is designed to help small or early-stage businesses grow, with the possibility of selling their products on the Group’s store shelves.

The fifth round of the programme was announced in February, looking for businesses that focus on healthier savoury snacks, energy and high protein snacks, instant meals or impulse snacks with global-inspired flavours.

“Co-op’s Apiary programme continues to provide successful exposure for a number of challenger brands, and we are delighted that many of the latest cohort are increasing their store number listings with their products moving into relevant mainstream category shelf space in our stores,” a spokesperson told Retail Systems. “At this time, we have paused recruitment for another new cohort, and continue to focus efforts on the existing Apiary brands we have in place. “

The Apiary scheme has so far led to 34 suppliers listing their products in the supermarket across 86 product lines in total.

The reasoning behind this decision was not made clear, but the group is currently in a period of transformation following the departure of its previous chief executive in March, itself precipitated by a 2025 cyberattack that cost the Group £285 million in revenue.

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