Co-op has revealed plans to launch 18 new or revamped stores in the initial quarter of 2026. The first fresh Co-op outlet for 2026 is scheduled to open in the emerging Willowbrook Park neighborhood in Didcot, Oxfordshire.
Additionally, several stores are set to reopen post refurbishment, including the convenience store in Eastern Green, Coventry, and a franchise-operated location in Ealing, London.
Kate McCrae, Co-op Operations Director, emphasized the company’s focus on establishing local stores that serve as community hubs, offering quality products and value to members and customers through various deals and promotions.
Expressing enthusiasm for the store expansion, McCrae highlighted the strategic initiative to enhance Co-op’s presence in high streets and communities nationwide.
In related news, Co-op recently unveiled its commitment to creating thousands of new apprenticeships in the coming years. Through the Levy Share service, the retail giant has pledged £70 million to generate 7,000 matched apprenticeships by 2030, enabling the transfer of unused apprenticeship levy funds to other entities.
Since its inception four years ago, the scheme has facilitated over 3,800 apprenticeships, with a significant portion benefitting deprived communities and the care sector. Claire Costello, Co-op’s chief people and inclusion officer, commended the initiative for converting untapped levy funds into valuable opportunities.
Costello announced the company’s expanded commitment to creating apprenticeships, stressing the importance of collecting socioeconomic background data to ensure inclusivity and prevent any groups from being marginalized in the apprenticeship system.