Co-op news

03 April 2019
At its annual Stoneleigh trade show Nisa has reported that, since its acquisition by Co-op in May 2018, recruitment of new stores to its wholesale distribution network has increased by 25%.  Boosted by access to the improved ranges Co-op brings, Nisa has successfully recruited 1,006 stores, compared with around 800 in the previous financial year. 60% of private label sales now Co-op brand Hav...
03 April 2019
The Co-op has expanded its partnership with Starship Technologies to offer robot delivery from a second store in Milton Keynes. Trial expansion Following the launch of the trial in May , the retailer has begun delivering orders by autonomous robots from a second store in Emerson Valley, Milton Keynes. The store has recently reopened after a refit, and now offers an increased range. Custome...
26 March 2019
To address the Grocery Code Adjudicator's findings that it breached the code of practice on two counts in dealings with suppliers, Co-op has undertaken a root and branch review of its supplier practices to ensure Groceries Supply Code of Practice (GSCOP) compliance going forwards. At the end of the two-and-a-half year process Christine Tacon, the Groceries Code Adjudicator, has found that: Co...
22 March 2019
The Co-op has launched its first online home delivery service that offers customers delivery via a dedicated online store in as little as two hours.  Two hour delivery Co-op’s new dedicated online store offers a range of around 1,500 products including food, drink, household goods and health and beauty products. A £5 delivery charge applies to all orders, with a minimum spend of £15. A free...
14 March 2019
As reported in Convenience Store magazine, The Co-operative Group has linked with the ethical living app CoGo to feature 286 of its London stores on the platform, to help drive shopper engagement with the Co-op's ethical agenda around key themes such as fairtrade sourcing. CoGo aims to provide a 'trustworthy feedback loop' between consumers and businesses The purpose of the CoGo app (free t...
07 March 2019
With this year's official Fairtrade Fortnight running from 25th February-10 th March, we take a look at how retailers are supporting the event, and driving an ethical agenda in the face of a highly value orientated market. This year’s Fairtrade Fortnight focuses on campaigning for a living income to become a reality for cocoa farmers in West Africa, with a particular focus on women. The found...
26 February 2019
The Co-op has opened its first franchise store on a university campus at Leeds University. Serving the campus community The new store opening follows Co-op’s announcement that it plans to develop a network of franchise stores . The franchise store is managed and run by Leeds University Union (LUU) with the aim of better serving the campus community. Co-op’s full range is available at th...
13 February 2019
The Co-op has announced plans to develop franchise stores, the first time the convenience retailer has licensed its brand to independent retailers. Franchise model Following successful trials that started last spring, Co-op is set to develop a network of franchise stores. The independent retailers will have access to Co-op’s own brand range, which is currently available in around 4,000 stor...
03 January 2019
Major UK convenience retailer, Co-op has confirmed plans to open 100 new food stores during 2019. Store investment programme The new stores will be part of a £200m store investment programme, that will also see it refit a further 200 existing stores over the 12 months, further building on Co-op’s convenience strategy to get closer to its members and customers. The store openings include ...
19 December 2018
Financial results posted with Companies House show that in the year to 1 April 2018, wholesale distributor, Nisa Retail had sales of £1,457m, an increase of over 16% on 2017.  Able to step into the breach left by the collapse of Palmer & Harvey in November 2017, Nisa benefited especially from gaining a short-term agreement to supply 1,024 Costcutter stores and 172 McColl's outlets.  This boosted ...