Co-op has announced plans to open 75 new stores in 2025, including new outlets in Salford Quays. The retailer confirmed that 25 of the new locations will be operated directly by the retailer, and the rest will be franchised.
The 2025 expansion is part of a four year plan at Co-op to undertake significant expansion over the coming years. In the plans the next four years will see 120 new stores opening across the UK.
In addition to the new stores, Co-op has also confirmed it intends to refurbish 80 existing stores in 2025. These include locations in Exeter, Brighton, Bristol, Cambridgeshire, Hampshire, Avonmouth, Hereford, and Clapham, the Mirror reports.
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Over the past year Co-op has switched focus on the locations in which it opens its stores. These included on a university campus, a hospital, as well as on petrol forecourts and at Royal Navy training facility HMS Collingwood.
Co-op Managing Director Matt Hood 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.”
Salford Quays is among the places seeing a new Co=op -Credit:Copyright Unknown
Co-op has also recently stopped loyalty rewards for customers as of 2024. The retailer previously rewarded customers with 2 pence for every £1 spent on goods and services which were Co-op branded.
However, the scheme was axed in 2024. Customers were given until December 31 to use up any points they had accumulated.
The Co-op said at the time: “Rather than earning a few pence on rewards, our Members will now make substantial savings on their shop with immediate discounts being applied at the till. Overall, a bigger saving on Co-op, and branded products.”