The Co-op has announced plans to open 100 new UK food stores in 2018 which will create an estimated 1,600 jobs.
More than 20 new stores will open in London and up to 18 stores are planned for Scotland and ten in Wales. Other places set to see the arrival of new shops include Blackpool, Bristol, Chesterfield, Crewe, Leicester, Manchester, Nottingham, Plymouth, Southampton and York.
Co-op’s director of portfolio and development, Stuart Hookins said: “The Co-op’s extensive acquisitions and refit programme is a fundamental part of our food strategy. Moving forward with a clear purpose and momentum, our expansion plans for 2018 will mean that the Co-op is on track to have opened at least 100 new stores in each of three consecutive years.”
The news follows the announcement last month that the Co-op has reached an agreement to become the exclusive wholesale supplier to the 2,200 stores across the Costcutter Supermarkets Group network from spring 2018
Chief executive of Co-op Food, Jo Whitfield said: “The Co-op is positively responding to the changes occurring within this dynamic sector. Our food business is going from strength to strength in what is clearly a challenging retail market. We have the ambition for our stores to be at the heart of local life, bringing communities together and offering our members and customers great quality products when and where they need them.”
