Co-op has revealed plans to launch 18 new or improved stores within the initial quarter of 2026. The inaugural Co-op store of the year will debut in Willowbrook Park, Didcot, situated in Oxfordshire’s new neighborhood development.
Several stores are set to reopen after renovations, including the convenience store in Eastern Green, Coventry, and a franchise-operated location in Ealing, London. Kate McCrae, Co-op’s Operations Director, emphasized the company’s commitment to establishing local stores that serve as community hubs, offering quality products, value, and a variety of promotions to cater to shoppers’ needs.
Expressing excitement about the opening of the first store in Oxfordshire, McCrae highlighted Co-op’s ongoing efforts to expand its presence in various UK high streets and neighborhoods. This news follows Co-op’s recent announcement of a substantial investment in creating thousands of new apprenticeships by 2030 through its Levy Share service, allowing the transfer of unused apprenticeship levy funds to support apprenticeship programs across businesses, charities, and community organizations.
Since its inception four years ago, the scheme has successfully matched over 3,800 apprenticeships, with a significant portion benefiting deprived communities and the care sector. Claire Costello, Co-op’s chief people and inclusion officer, underscored the initiative’s impact in converting unused levy funds into valuable opportunities, with a commitment to creating 7,000 apprenticeships by 2030.
Furthermore, Co-op advocated for the collection of socioeconomic background data for apprenticeships to ensure inclusivity and address potential disparities within the system.