Co-op is set to open and refurbish 24 food stores across the UK by the end of June 2026 as the retailer accelerates investment in convenience retail, community-based shopping and franchise expansion. The programme stretches from the south coast of England to the Scottish Highlands, targeting towns, villages and city communities across regions including Cumbria, Gloucestershire, Kent, London, the Midlands, Nottinghamshire, Yorkshire and Scotland.
Co-op, formally known as The Co-operative Group, is one of the UK’s largest consumer co-operatives, operating across food retail, funeral care, legal services and insurance. Founded in 1844 by the Rochdale Pioneers, the Manchester-headquartered business runs nearly 2,400 food stores across the UK and serves millions of customers through its convenience-focused retail network.
The expansion forms part of a broader programme involving more than 40 store openings and refurbishments during the first half of 2026. Co-op said the new and upgraded locations are designed to strengthen local shopping access while supporting community-focused retail in both urban and rural areas.
Many of the upcoming stores will feature services including fresh food and meal solutions, coffee-to-go counters, parcel collection, payment services, online order collection, rapid grocery delivery and soft-plastic recycling points. The retailer said its stores are intended to act as “anchor” locations within local communities.
Kate McCrae, Operations Director at The Co-operative Group, said: “We’re investing to create local stores which are more than just a shop, they are a convenient hub contributing to local life and meeting the needs of communities.” She added: “Local shops are an anchor at the heart of local communities, and we’re moving through 2026 with a strong focus on our members, customers and communities.”
Co-op is also expanding its franchise business rapidly. The retailer operated 65 franchise stores at the end of 2025 and plans to exceed 100 franchise-operated locations during 2026, targeting high-footfall sites such as university campuses, hospitals and petrol forecourts.
The group said around 90% of the UK population can now access its grocery delivery services through Co-op’s online shop and partnerships with Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat. Orders are picked directly from local stores, allowing neighbourhood branches to benefit from rising online demand while enabling faster delivery times.
Earlier this year, the retailer also confirmed 18 additional store launches during the opening months of 2026, including locations in Didcot, Coventry, Ealing, Sidmouth and Tarbert.
