In a significant boost for local high streets and communities nationwide, the Co-op supermarket and convenience store chain has unveiled ambitious expansion plans for the first quarter of 2026. The retailer is set to launch a total of 18 new and extensively revamped stores across the United Kingdom, marking a transformative investment aimed at revitalising shopping experiences.
A Strategic Investment in Local Communities
This expansion programme encompasses both brand-new locations and existing branches that will reopen following comprehensive refurbishments. The initiative underscores Co-op's commitment to strengthening its presence and contributing positively to local life beyond mere retail transactions.
Pioneering New Developments
The inaugural new store is scheduled to open in 2025, serving the emerging Willowbrook Park neighbourhood in Didcot, Oxfordshire. This will be followed by a series of openings and reopenings in early 2026. Among the first locations to welcome customers after significant upgrades are a convenience store in Eastern Green, Coventry, and a franchise-operated outlet in Ealing, London.
Kate McCrae, Co-op's Operations Director, emphasised the strategic vision behind the move: "We're focused on creating local stores which are more than just a shop, they are a hub locally that contribute to local life and conveniently meet the needs of communities." She added, "Our stores have a focus on quality products and value for our members and customers, with a great range of deals and promotions on the items shoppers want to buy."
Enhanced Product Range and Innovative Services
Each Co-op store will stock a comprehensive selection of goods, including:
- Fresh coffee and bakery items
- Fairtrade products
- Healthy, fresh produce
Furthermore, the stores will introduce a suite of new services designed to increase convenience for customers. These additional offerings will include:
- Payment services
- Parcel collection and returns facilities
- Online grocery home delivery options
Notably, Co-op has highlighted that approximately 86 percent of the UK population can already access Co-op groceries online, either through the Co-op's own online shop or via delivery partners such as Just Eat, Deliveroo, and Uber Eats.
Commitment to Sustainability
Aligning with modern environmental concerns, Co-op is also enhancing its sustainability efforts. The chain is providing soft plastic recycling facilities in stores, simplifying the process for customers to return harder-to-recycle materials. These include items such as:
- Crisp packets and bread bags
- Lids from ready meals
- Biscuit wrappers and pet food pouches
Complete List of New and Revamped Locations
The following is the full list of Co-op stores set to launch or reopen in the first quarter of 2026:
- Ealing, London
- Didcot, Kilburn Place, Oxfordshire
- Eastern Green, Coventry, West Midlands
- Cove - Fernhill Road, Hampshire
- Totton, Southampton, Hampshire
- Deal, Kent
- Killearn, Main Street, Stirling
- Farnsfield - Main Street, Newark, Nottinghamshire
- Sidmouth, Devon
- Straits Parade, Fishponds, Bristol
- Saltdean - Lustrells Vale, Brighton, East Sussex
- Westgate, Skelmersdale, Lancashire
- Marske, High Street, North Yorkshire
- Worle, High Street, Somerset
- Tarbert, Argyll
- Cruden Bay, Aberdeenshire
- Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire
- Cuckfield - Whitemans Green, West Sussex
This expansive rollout represents a confident step by Co-op to increase and enhance its footprint across the UK, promising improved access to quality groceries and community-focused services for shoppers from Scotland to the South Coast.
