Co-op will open its first Welsh franchise store in Parc Derwen, Bridgend.

The 2,700 sq ft store includes a bakery and will create around 16 jobs in the local community. The store will also offer parcel collection services and a grocery delivery service through Deliveroo.

The convenience retailer said it is committed to growing its franchise business in more communities.

“We are delighted to open our first franchise store in Wales,” said Martin Rogers, director of partnership development. “It is a tried and tested model, where our franchise partners utilise Co-op’s market leading convenience expertise to operate their own store under Co-op’s iconic brand – allowing us to bring Co-op products to more places, closer to where our member-owners and customers live and work.”

Rogers added that the company is currently focussed on expanding its franchise operation.

Last year, Co-op reported group losses of £33 million in the first half of the year. The retailer cited high levels of retail crime as a contributing factor to ‘leakage’ within the business.

The retailer said that in the six months to June 2023, it recorded the “highest-ever” levels of retail crime, with 175,000 incidents of shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. This translated to almost 1,000 incidents day and a 35 per cent year-on year increase from 129,500 incidents in H1 2022.

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