Co-op has revealed plans to launch 18 new or revamped stores within the first quarter of 2026.
The initial new Co-op store for the year 2026 is set to open in the upcoming Willowbrook Park neighborhood development in Didcot, Oxfordshire.
In addition to the new store openings, certain stores will undergo renovations, including the convenience store in Eastern Green, Coventry, and a franchise-operated location in Ealing, London.
Kate McCrae, Co-op Operations Director, emphasized the company’s commitment to establishing local stores that serve as community hubs, offering quality products and value while catering to the needs of members and customers through various deals and promotions.
McCrae expressed delight in the launch of the first store in Oxfordshire for 2026, marking the beginning of an extensive store opening initiative across the UK to strengthen Co-op’s presence in neighborhoods and high streets.
Co-op’s recent announcement follows its commitment to creating thousands of new apprenticeships over the next few years. The company pledged £70 million through its Levy Share service to generate 7,000 matched apprenticeships by 2030, allowing levy-paying employers to transfer unused apprenticeship levy funds to other businesses, charities, and community organizations.
Since its inception four years ago, the program has matched over 3,800 apprenticeships, with a focus on underprivileged communities and the care sector.
Claire Costello, Co-op’s chief people and inclusion officer, highlighted the success of the Co-op Levy Share program in transforming unused levy funds into valuable apprenticeship opportunities, with £40 million already allocated to thousands of apprenticeships. The company is now extending its commitment by investing £70 million to create 7,000 apprenticeships by 2030.
Co-op also advocates for the collection of socioeconomic background data for apprenticeships to avoid excluding certain groups from the system.
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