The Co-operative Group is enlisting its six million members to help find potential new sites for Co-operative food stores across the country.
The Co-operative’s Food Property team has launched a “Suggest-a-site” scheme for its members, who could receive £500 in shopping vouchers if they identify a location or a property that is then acquired and turned into a new Co-operative food store.
Its members, who include the majority of the Group’s 106,000 employees, can suggest potential store sites, which can be any existing business, either food or non-food, retail or non-retail, as long as it is on the market, by simply completing an online form on the members’ website.
The Co-operative, which has opened 14 new stores in the last five weeks, has a rolling programme to open more than 300 UK food outlets over the next three years, employing over 7,000 people. It has more than 20 stores opening across the UK in the next few months, as far afield as Swindon in Wiltshire and Bishopton in Renfrewshire.
Stuart Hookins, The Co-operative Food’s Head of Portfolio Strategy, Acquisitions and Disposals, said: “The Co-operative Group really values its members, and their views and suggestions can really make a difference to the way the business is run.
“We are planning to open around 300 new food stores in the next three years to help grow our business, and one way that our members can contribute is by letting us know where they would like to see a new Co-operative food store.”
The Co-operative, which is the UK’s fifth largest food retailer, is focusing on stores, either leasehold or freehold, between 2,000 and 18,000 sq ft, particularly in high street and local community locations.
Mr Hookins added: “Basically, we want our members to be our eyes and ears and help us look for potential sites for new food stores so we can identify the right properties in the right locations at the heart of local communities across the country.
“If a member knows of a suitable property or plot of land that they think would be a great place for a new Co-operative food store, then they can fill in a form on the members’ website, and if we open a store there they could receive £500 in Co-operative shopping vouchers.”
For further information about the ‘Suggest-a-site’ scheme or Co-operative Membership go to www.co-operative.coop/membership/have-your-say/suggest-a-site/
Additional Information:
The Co-operative Group is the UK’s largest mutual business, owned not by private shareholders but by over six million consumers. It is the UK’s fifth biggest food retailer, the leading convenience store operator and a major financial services provider, operating The Co-operative Bank, Britannia and The Co-operative Insurance. Among its other businesses are the number one funeral services provider and Britain’s largest farming operation. As well as having clear financial and operational objectives, the Group has also set out its social and sustainability goals in its groundbreaking Ethical Plan, which specifies almost 50 commitments in these areas.
The Group operates 4,800 retail trading outlets, employs more than 106,000 people and has an annual turnover of more than £13bn. Further information is available at www.co-operative.coop
Contact Information:
Kieran Howlett
Senior Public Relations Officer
The Co-operative Group
Tel: 0161 266 3592
Mob: 07739 657 585
kieran.howlett@co-operative.coop