Co-op to open 18 UK stores in 3 months as it eyes big players
Consumer-owned co-operative Co-op has confirmed plans to open several new stores across the country, with several older stores also set to reopen following reinvestment.
Co-op said it is focused on creating stores that act as a hub locally, offering quality and value alongside added services.
The new stores offer coffee, bakery, fresh and healthy produce, and added services include payment services, parcel collection and returns, the online home delivery of groceries, with orders picked fresh in the local store for quick and convenient delivery in the community, ensuring the high street store benefits from online orders.
The group estimates that 86% of the UK population now has access to Co-op groceries online, through Co-op’s own online shop (shop.coop.co.uk) and strategic partners including Just Eat, Deliveroo, and Uber Eats.
“We’re focused on creating local stores which are more than just a shop – they are a hub locally that contributes to local life and conveniently meets the needs of communities. Our stores have a focus on quality products and value for our members and customers, with a great range of deals and promotions on the items shoppers want to buy,” said Kate McCrae, Co-op Operations Director.
“I’m delighted to see our first new store of 2026 open in Oxfordshire, as we start 2026 with an active store opening programme to increase and enhance Co-op’s presence in high streets and communities all across the UK.”
The full list of new or transformed Co-op stores opening in the first quarter of 2026 includes:
- Ealing, London
- Didcot, Kilburn Place, Oxfordshire
- Eastern Green, Coventry, West Midlands
- Cove – Fernhill Road, Hampshire
- Totton, Southampton, Hampshire
- Deal, Kent
- Killearn, Main Street, Stirling
- Farnsfield – Main Street, Newark, Nottinghamshire
- Sidmouth, Devon
- Straits Parade, Fishponds, Bristol
- Saltdean – Lustrells Vale, Brighton, East Sussex
- Westgate, Skelmersdale, Lancashire
- Marske, High Street, North Yorkshire
- Worle, High Street, Somerset
- Tarbert, Argyll
- Cruden Bay, Aberdeenshire
- Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire
- Cuckfield – Whitemans Green, West Sussex
