UK retailer the Co-op has opened three new food stores in the Worcester area over the last few weeks.
The stores came after a £2.25 million investment, and will create up to 30 jobs.
Today, the retailer launched a new store on Station road, Honeybourne, investing £650,000 and creating 12 jobs. The store will include an in-store bakery, Costa coffee dispenser and a focus on fresh, healthy foods, meal ideas, award winning wines and, essentials.
The retailer will re-open its 8,500 square ft. Pershore store on Racecourse road following a £1.1M makeover to transform the store for the community, according to the Co-op.
The two stores come two weeks after the opening of a new Co-op store on Baker street, Worcester, which the retailer describes as “an innovative development, bringing to life surplus space in the grounds of the Goodrest Tavern which aims to create a local hub and become an asset for the local community.”
Local Funding
All of the Co-op food stores bring a funding boost locally through its membership scheme, whereby members receive a 5% reward on the purchase of own-brand products and services, with the Co-op donating a further 1% to local good causes, according to the retailer.
“We have had a great response, and are delighted to have had the opportunity to carry out such a significant investment in and around Worcester – colleagues are really looking forward to welcoming members and customers into their new Co-op stores,” said Jon Bottomley, area manager for the Co-op’s convenience stores.
Guy Wimhurst, regional manager for the retailer’s large store formats added, “As a community retailer the Co-op is moving forward with a clear purpose and momentum. We are investing in our people, stores, products, prices and communities – our ambition is for our stores to be at the heart of local life, bringing communities together and offering great quality products when and where shoppers need them.”
“We also want our customers to know that they can become a member of their Co-op,” Wimhurst continued. “And, that we are also giving back to the local community. Our members make a difference locally, simply by swiping their membership card when they shop with us they are raising much needed funding for organisations in the area who contribute to improving local life.”
Expansion Investments
At the beginning of the year, the retailer announced it would open 100 new stores across the UK in 2018, as well as refurbish a further 150 outlets, as part of a £160 million investment.
It has also announced a £50 million investment to cut the prices of hundreds of everyday food products, cutting the price by an average of 14% for over 600 products, while lowering the price of some products by over 40%.
The Co-op also has a partnership with NUS extra and its cardholders in Worcester also receive a 10% discount off their groceries at the Co-op to support them during their studies.
© 2018 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Kevin Duggan. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
