Co-op is opening 18 new stores in the first quarter of this year, including refurbished sites, following investment to improve the shopping experience in High Streets and communities.

The grocery retailer said its first store will open in a new neighbourhood development in Willowbrook Park, Didcot, Oxfordshire.

The first store to re-open following refurbishment will be a convenience store in Eastern Green, Coventry followed by a franchise operated shop in Ealing, London.

Co-op said it is focussed on creating stores which act as a local hub and offer services alongside food items such as baked goods and fresh produce.

Added services include payment services, parcel collection and returns.

The new stores will also handle online home grocery delivery, with orders picked from local stores.

The company claims that around 86 per cent of the UK population now has access to Co-op groceries online, through Co-op’s own online shop and partners including
Just Eat, Deliveroo and Uber Eats.

Soft plastic recycling is also available in stores, which Co-op said makes it easier for shoppers to return harder to recycle materials in their communities, such as crisp packets, bread bags, lids from ready meals and, pet food pouches.

“We’re focussed on creating local stores which are more than just a shop – they are a hub locally that contribute to local life and conveniently meet the needs of communities,” said Kare McCrae, Co-op operations director. “I’m delighted to see our first new store of 2026 open in Oxfordshire, as we start 2026 with an active store opening programme to increase and enhance Co-op’s presence in high streets and communities all across the UK.”

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