Co-op to open 100 new food stores in 2019
Co-op plans to serve-up over 100 new stores in 2019 as part of a £200m store investment programme during 2019 as it builds on its convenience strategy to get closer to its members and customers.
Around one-third of the community retailer’s new stores are planned for London and the South East. This move follows the acquisition of a new 661,000-sq ft distribution depot located just off the A1 in Bedfordshire to support the retailer’s continued growth in and around the M25 belt.
In addition over 40 new or improved Co-op stores will launch in Scotland in 2019 and the Co-op has plans for at least 10 new stores In Wales.
Stuart Hookins, Co-op’s director of portfolio and development, said: “Shifts in consumer shopping trends has seen ease, speed and convenience continuing to rise in importance for time-pressed shoppers. The right location and range tailored to fulfil the shopping needs of a community is a cornerstone of our approach, and there has been an evolution in how we choose new locations and, innovate our offer. This year (2019), will be the fourth consecutive year of opening around 100 new stores, and investing in a core convenience estate which has seen over four years of consecutive like for like sales growth.”
