Co-op plans 14 store openings in 2018
The Co-op is aiming to open 14 new stores across the North West this year, including in Blackpool, Crewe, and Liverpool, as part of a £160m investment in its retail portfolio.
The retail giant said it would look to open 100 new food stores across the UK in 2018, and will also invest in “major makeovers” for 150 existing outlets, as part of its investment plans.
Of the 100 new stores, 14 will be in the North West. These include planned food outlets on Highfield Road, Blackpool; Remer Street in Crewe; Oxford Road in Manchester; Leece Street, Liverpool; and Cross Street in Sale.
These will be primarily focussed on the Co-op’s convenience offering, including at Sale, where the store is understood to be situated on the ground floor of Laurus Homes’ Maple Court development, which is currently under construction.
Alongside the stores in the North West, the retailer will open more than 20 outlets in London, and as many as 18 stores in Scotland.
Stuart Hookins, Co-op’s director of portfolio and development, 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.
“With over one million new active Members joining us in the last year, we are always looking for new locations to get closer to where our Members and customers live and work and to meet their shopping needs conveniently.”
Last year, the group agreed the purchase of Nisa Retail’s wholesale and convenience store business. The deal is still subject to Competition and Markets Authority approval.