The Co-op Group has set out its estate plans for the first half of the year, including the opening or refurbishment of 24 stores in the second quarter.
The investment in the second quarter (to the end of June) will take the total number of stores launching in the first half of this year to more than 40, including towns, villages and cities in: Cumbria; Gloucestershire; Kent; London, the Midlands; Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire.
The stores are a combination of new sites, those re-opening their doors to the community following transformative investment and, franchise stores.
Co-op said its focus is on providing the best small shops locally, acting as a community hub and destination locally as well as offering range of added services including coffee; payment services, parcel collection and quick commerce - the rapid home delivery of online orders. Around 90% of the UK population now has access to Co-op groceries online, through Co-op’s own online shop, shop.coop.co.uk, and strategic partners including Just Eat, Deliveroo and Uber Eats.
The Co-op plans to hit the 100 franchise site milestone during 2026, up from 65 at the end of 2025. It has planned new locations including university campus growth – serving dynamic and diverse campus communities; hospitals and, petrol forecourts.
Co-op operations director, Kate McCrae, said: “We’re investing to create local stores which are more than just a shop, they are a convenient hub contributing to local life and meeting the needs of communities. Whether it’s quality food for an evening at home, food and drink on the go, a top-up shop or, our wide range of added services – we’re here to serve and support communities, conveniently. Local shops are an anchor at the heart of local communities, and we’re moving through 2026 with a strong focus on our members, customers and communities, and a programme designed to enhance Co-op’s presence in high streets and communities across the UK
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