The Co-op has revealed that it will be opening more than three new food stores each week until December as capitalises on increased demand for local shopping.
The convenience retailer will launch over 65 stores new and extended stores, with more than 100 other existing outlets receiving makeovers as part of a £130m investment programme that will create around 1,000 jobs.
In addition, up to 12 new Co-op franchise stores are set to launch this year. These include outlets at Oxford Brookes University and Stirling University as part of an ongoing drive to grow its presence in university locations.
The group also revealed during the first half of this year, 304 new stores joined its Nisa business with around 90% of all Nisa retailers now stocking Co-op own label products.
David Roberts, Managing Director of the society’s Property unit, said: “Multiple factors motivate consumers, with ease, choice and added services chief among them.
“We continually look for new locations, sites which are definitively convenient in their community – closer to our Members and customers with proximity shopping a key consumer consideration.”
Meanwhile, the Co-op is further expanding its delivery offer by linking up with Pinga, a start-up focused on offering zero-emission deliveries from local retailers.
Over 500 Co-op products will initially be available through Pinga’s App serving up to one million people living close to five of the convenience retailer’s stores located in Hackney, Stepney and Stoke Newington. Once an order has been placed, grocery items are selected by a ‘Pinga Partner’ and delivered to the customer’s door in 90 minutes or less, mainly on foot, electric scooter or bicycle.
Amid increased demand during the pandemic, the Co-op has accelerated its same-day online delivery offer through its own online store and via partnerships with Deliveroo and Buymie. It expects to be offering delivery options from more than 650 of its stores by the end of 2020.
Commenting on the new partnership with Pinga, Jason Perry, Co-op Head of Online Development, said: “We continue to innovate and expand access to our products, getting closer to our Members and customers with ease, speed, quality and choice locally to meet the needs of communities.
“Shoppers are increasingly looking for on-demand online convenience – shopping in close proximity to their home or place of work. With deliveries made in 90 minutes or less we can provide what shoppers want, when and where they need it, conveniently.”
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