Co-op’s newest store launches to serve the community of Rendlesham including a focus on showcasing sustainability
19 June 2026
• Co-op launches its newest store (Friday, 19 June) to serve and support the community in the Suffolk village of Rendlesham
• The store is the latest to launch with a focus on showcasing sustainability to members and customers, testing and trialling new technologies and demonstrating impactful changes in stores
Co-op launches its newest store to serve and support the Suffolk village of Rendlesham (Friday, 19 June), including a focus on incorporating and showcasing the latest sustainability features as part of ongoing commitments to responsible retailing in the convenience sector.
The new ‘sustainability showcase store’ has been designed to communicate all the positive initiatives, that often go unnoticed behind the scenes, to Co-op’s members and customers – with measures ranging from motion activated fridge lights to the solar panels on the roof which are soon to be installed.
The new store will be utilised as a ‘test, learn and adopt’ environment allowing new sustainability technologies to be trialled, with the potential for roll-out across its estate at scale.
Rendlesham Co-op also includes a coffee pod recycling service, to make it easier for its customers and members to recycle used coffee pods in-store. Plus, Soft plastic recycling so shoppers can return and recycle materials that are often not universally accepted via household kerbside recycling, such as crisp packets and bread bags, lids from ready meals, biscuit wrappers and, pet food pouches.
An InPost Locker is also available for convenient parcel collection services, which can help to reduce mileage in last-mile logistics by consolidating multiple deliveries into a single stop and eliminate repeat door-to-door trips from missed deliveries.
Customer car parking includes electric vehicle charging.
Co-op has reduced greenhouse gas emissions from its own operations by 65% since 2016, its longer-term target is to be a Net Zero business by 2035 across its own operations, and by 2040 across its value chain**.
Located at Walnut Tree Avenue, Rendlesham, the new store has created 14 local jobs, and opens between 6am-11pm to serve the community, conveniently
The store includes an extensive range and choice of fresh and chilled products; in-store bakery and, Costa Coffee Express. This sits alongside Co-op’s focus on meal deals and food to go; Fairtrade products; ready meals and meal ideas – including Co-op's new Mediterranean-inspired ‘Served’ range - pizzas; fresh meats and dairy; chilled beers and wines, fresh flowers and, everyday essentials.
There are offers, deals and promotions throughout the store. Member price savings create additional value for Co-op members who can save more with lower prices on the everyday essential products shoppers buy most.
Alex Ball, Co-op's Area Manager, said:
“We are delighted to invest in Rendlesham, and proud to launch Co-op’s newest store and, our latest sustainability showcase location – the store looks fantastic and we have had a great response. We invest to create local stores which are more than just a shop, they are a hub contributing to local life and meeting the needs of communities, with a focus on offering quality products, value and choice that can be enjoyed by everyone. In addition, as a showcase store, we demonstrate our sustainability work in action - often going unnoticed behind the scenes, in-store communications inform our members and customers on the impactful changes we are making in our stores to help us on the important journey to net-zero.
“We’re proud to serve Rendlesham, and really enjoying welcoming the community into their new Co-op. We’re here to contribute to local life and conveniently serve and support the community.”
Committed to backing British agriculture, all of Co-op’s own meat, poultry and dairy is 100% British – including in its pies, ready meals and sandwiches. Fairtrade products are available across the store supporting farmers, workers and their communities around the world who grow and produce products and ingredients for Co-op.
With its history dating back more than 180 years, Co-op is one of the world’s largest consumer-owned co-operatives. Co-op exists to create value for its membership and communities, its more than 7 million members own the business and play an intrinsic part in the governance of the organisation.
More information about the benefits of Co-op Membership is available by visiting coop.co.uk/membership
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*Scope 1 & 2 ; ** Scope 3
About Co-op:
Co-op Group is one of the world’s largest consumer co-operatives, operating across food retail, funerals, insurance and legal services. Owned by around 7.2 million active member-owners, Co-op exists to meet their needs and champion the causes they care about. With more than 2,300 food stores, 800 funeral homes and a wholesale business supplying around 8,000 additional outlets, Co-op employs 53,000 colleagues and generates annual revenues of over £11 billion. It is a recognised leader in ethical business and community-led programmes, creating long-term value for members and communities across the UK.
__For journalist/press enquiries, please contact: __
Andrew Torr
Lead Press Officer | Co-op Group
M – 07702505551
E - andrew.torr@coop.co.uk