Co-op is ramping up its investment in London this year, as it prepares to open a record number of 30 new food stores and refresh seven from its current portfolio in the region.
The £28m investment forms part of the convenience retailer’s 2018 store expansion plan and is set to create up to 600 jobs in the Greater London area.
The first phase of new stores – which will all have a focus on fresh, healthy foods, meal ideas and essentials – are: Walthamstow, Colliers Wood Station, Cricklewood, Colindale Station and Paddington.
A variety of local community groups are also set to get a funding boost through the Co-op’s new Membership scheme. Members receive a 5% reward on purchases of own-branded products and services, with a further 1% going directly to local causes to make a difference in the community. Last year, the Co-op awarded £20M to 8,000 good causes UK-wide.
Peter Batt, Co-op’s divisional managing director, said, “It’s an incredibly exciting time for the Co-op in London as we gear up to launch and refit a record number of stores across the capital. As well as being hubs for the local community, our stores are committed to providing a consistently brilliant in-store experience, allowing customers living in busy urban areas to get what they want, when they want.
“We’re very proud of how much we’ve achieved last year and our membership message really seems to be striking a chord with shoppers. We now have over 330,000 members in the capital who together have helped us to raise almost £3m for 1,000 good causes since we launched our new membership scheme last September. Just by swiping a membership card, people can make a real difference to local life and become a co-owner of their local Co-op.
“Our new store launches and refits, together with our ever growing range of locally-sourced produce and increasing member numbers put us in a strong position for the future as we look towards further expansion in 2019 and beyond.”
There are offers and promotions in and around the new stores to mark their launch. And, students in Greater London holding an NUS card will also receive a 10% discount off their groceries.
