Co-op Wholesale (formerly known as Nisa) and motorway service area operator Roadchef have begun their nationwide store rollout following the announcement of their partnership in April.
The first of eight new convenience stores opened yesterday at Roadchef Norton Canes, marking the initial phase in relaunching the former SPAR sites as Co-op branded outlets.
The new store also marks the public unveiling of Co-op Wholesale’s newest fascia identity. Sitting alongside its Nisa fascia options and ‘Proud to stock Co-op’ options, ‘& Co-op’ aims to promote the core convenience missions that the retailer is known for, whilst enabling retailers to “stand out on the competitive high street”. It will launch fully to the market later in 2025.
The new Norton Canes Roadchef store features an extensive range of Co-op own brand lines, including food-to-go and food-for-later products. The store will also have a full in-store bakery range, with self-checkouts and digital innovations to ensure a quick shopping experience for motorway travellers.
“This is a pivotal moment in our journey as Co-op Wholesale, and I’m so proud to see & Co-op in Roadchef locations,” said Katie Secretan, Managing Director for Co-op Wholesale.
“This is more than just a supply agreement – it marks the start of a long-term partnership. Through this collaboration, Roadchef can harness the strength of our iconic Co-op brand to deliver a truly compelling convenience offer to millions of travellers across the UK, allowing them to shoulder with the other big names on the motorway.
“Through our flexible model we’ve been able to create a unique offer that meets the needs of their customers. Together we’ll continue to evolve our range and formats to suit each location, drawing on our shared expertise. By leveraging insight-led recommendations and our category leadership in ‘food for now’ and ‘food for later’ missions, we’re committed to optimising the performance and relevance of every store.”
Tim Gittins, Chief Executive Officer of Roadchef, added: “Our customers expect choice, value, and convenience when they stop at our service areas, and our partnership with Co-op Wholesale helps us deliver just that. The & Co-op proposition is a perfect fit for our sites and aligns with our ambition to elevate the retail experience across our estate.”
NAM Implications:
- Patently a potential win-win project for Co-op and Roadchef.
- Eight new convenience stores should provide sufficient evidence for suppliers in appropriate categories to climb aboard as soon as possible.
- Rather than awaiting rivals’ action to point the way…
