The Co-op has announced plans to open 75 new stores in 2025 and refurbish up to 80 existing stores, accelerating its convenience growth across the UK.

The new stores will include both Co-op estate stores and Co-op franchise stores, a sector the retailer has actively pursued recently with strong growth. In addition to the new stores, around 80 further stores will undergo major refurbishments in 2025, transforming the stores to maximise the potential of Co-op’s existing portfolio of properties and maintain a presence in every UK postal area.

The retailer stated that, in addition to expanding its reach, these plans will enable the Co-op to offer additional services such as parcel collection and returns, payment services, and functioning as fulfilment hubs for the retailer’s leading online quick commerce operations. Co-op stores will also feature digital media screens to advertise its services and products, which it began rolling out last year.

The Co-op has several partnerships rapid delivery services including Just Eat, Uber Eats and Getir. These partnerships support the retailer's model of using stores as micro-distribution hubs for online home delivery, with orders picked fresh in local stores and delivered quickly and conveniently in the community.

The first new stores will open in Manchester and Newcastle, while stores in Exeter, Brighton, Bristol, Cambridgeshire, Hampshire, Avonmouth, Hereford, and Clapham will be among the first to undergo renovation in 2025. Co-op’s plans for new stores in 2025 include up to 25 new Co-op operated stores, with the first new stores opening in early 2025 in Salford Quays – The Anchorage and East Benton – Newcastle Upon Tyne.

Additionally, up to 50 stores are expected to open and operate as franchises this year, 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.

Matt Hood, Co-op’s managing director, said: “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.”

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