Co-op has announced plans to open more than 50 new or refurbished stores across the UK before Christmas, including several locations in London, as the retailer calls on the Government to deliver long-promised business rates reform.
The investment, totalling more than £200 million across 2024 and 2025, spans over 200 new and transformed stores. Co-op said that certainty over business rates is essential to giving small and medium-sized retailers the confidence to plan, invest, and safeguard jobs.
In London, the new stores will include the retailer’s first permanent site at Brent Cross Town, as well as locations in Kentish Town and City Road. These openings represent Co-op’s continued commitment to supporting high streets and urban communities within the capital.
Shirine Khoury-Haq, chief executive of Co-op Group, said: “We are investing in stores and communities across the UK because we believe in the future of the high street. But sustained growth needs certainty. Business rates reform is vital if retailers – especially the 99% who run small stores – are to plan with confidence, protect jobs and keep local economies thriving.
“Co-op is showing what is possible when businesses commit to communities. The Government now has an opportunity in the Autumn Budget to deliver the reform that has long been promised, giving every retailer the stability to invest and grow.”
Co-op said each new store would offer member price savings, parcel collection, and rapid delivery through its online shop and partners including Just Eat, Deliveroo and Uber Eats. The retailer highlighted that these services were designed to meet the needs of busy urban customers in London.
The Brent Cross store will be the first permanent retailer in the new development, serving shoppers in north-west London. The City Road and Kentish Town stores are intended to provide convenient access for commuters and residents while supporting high street regeneration in these areas.
Co-op said that the business rates reform it is calling for would provide crucial stability for retailers operating in London, where costs are often higher and rents and rates can fluctuate significantly. The retailer argued that reform would encourage further investment in urban high streets and local economies, while supporting the creation and retention of jobs.
The company also emphasised its commitment to ethical sourcing and convenience. Co-op sources 100% of its fresh and frozen meat from UK farms, including meat used as ingredients, and continues to support British farmers and producers. The new London stores will follow these standards while providing accessible retail options for a diverse population.
Co-op is one of the world’s largest consumer-owned co-operatives, with a history dating back more than 180 years. Owned by more than seven million members, it operates over 2,300 food stores and more than 800 funeral homes across the UK, alongside insurance and legal services. The group employs more than 53,000 colleagues and generates annual revenues exceeding £11 billion.
The investment in London forms part of a broader strategy to strengthen Co-op’s presence in urban communities across the UK. Alongside full-size stores, the retailer is expanding its micro-format “on the go” stores in locations including Aylesbury, Kingston and Leamington, following recent launches in Solihull and Altrincham. These smaller sites are designed to provide convenient access for busy city residents and workers, complementing the larger store openings in London.
