First Co-op store launches as part of new franchise agreement with petrol forecourt business, EG On The Move
11 July 2024
The first Co-op store to launch as part of a new franchise agreement signed with the petrol forecourt business, EG On The Move, opens today (Thursday, 11 July) in Doncaster, Ogden Road.
Forming part of Co-op’s wider franchise growth plans, Ogden Road's store is one of seven across the UK confirmed as part of the initial trial with EG On The Move, with the potential to expand in the future.
The forecourt and store includes; electric vehicle charging; an ATM providing free access to cash in the community; Starbucks self-serving coffee machine; Paypoint; in-store bakery and hot food. This sits alongside a focus on fresh, chilled and healthy produce; meal ideas and everyday essentials; food-to-go; Fairtrade products, flowers, chilled beers and award-winning wines; ready meals, pizzas and, free-from, vegan and plant-based products.
The online home delivery of groceries via Deliveroo will be introduced shortly after launch, where groceries are picked fresh in the store and delivered quickly and conveniently locally.
Co-op is committed to supporting UK farmers, growers and suppliers, with all of its own brand fresh and frozen meat and poultry, including in its ready meals, pies and freshly prepared sandwiches, 100% British.
A soft plastic recycle unit is available in store to enable the community to recycle ‘soft plastics’ including: crisp packets and bread bags, lids from ready meals and yogurt pots, biscuit wrappers and, pet food pouches - ensuring all Co-op’s own food packaging is recyclable either through local authority kerbside collections, or the in-store recycling unit.
Joshua Kershaw, Store Manager, said: “The whole team is delighted to launch the newest Co-op store. It looks fantastic, and it is very exciting to be opening the brand new franchise store which combines Co-op’s convenience expertise with EG On The Move’s petrol forecourt business. We are really enjoying welcoming our members and customers into their Co-op. Our aim is to operate at the heart of local life and we have worked to develop the range, choice and added services to create a compelling offer to serve our community, conveniently.
"The store also has a focus on delivering value, with member price savings across a wide range of everyday essentials so that the people who own our business, our member-owners, benefit every time they shop.”
Martin Rogers, Director of Partnership Development, Co-op, said: We are delighted to be working with EG On The Move, our second forecourt partner, helping us achieve our ambitious plans in this exciting sector. We look forward to further growing our franchise business, working with partners of pedigree to bring Co-op products and membership to more communities, creating more value for our member-owners.”
Jerome Saint-Marc, Managing Director B2B and Growth, said: “We are hugely excited to be working with EG On The Move on these new franchise sites and to be able to bring our Co-op franchise offer to more locations. This is part of our broader expansion in the petrol forecourt market. It follows our strategy to pivot our growth in this market through franchise, growing our presence and enabling us to best utilise our expertise and offer in convenience.
“As part of the Co-op’s overall growth plans, growing our franchise stores is a key priority for us and we have ambitious and exciting plans to significantly increase our franchise footprint and become the partner of choice across a range of sectors. We’ve got an excellent market proposition. And whilst it’s highly competitive, we believe there’s huge potential to unlock growth with our trusted brand, and unique offer and expertise.”
Zuber Issa, CEO, EG On The Move, expressed: “EG On The Move is an acknowledged petrol forecourt and convenience retail destination operator, and we are delighted to have the opportunity to collaborate with Co-op to roll out their new convenience store formats.
"Following on from this seven store trial, we look forward to working with Co-op to consider other locations across the network. Co-op is a well-established convenience operator, respected in the market and a recognised consumer brand, and this partnership not only promises to enhance our convenience store offer but it will also ensure our customers have access to exceptional fuel retail services including EV charging, a wide choice of essential and premium grocery and merchandise along with an enjoyable foodservice experience.”
Co-op is one of the world’s largest consumer-owned co-operatives. Its Member-owners own the business and play an intrinsic part in the governance of the organisation, enjoying a wide number of benefits including member-only price savings across everyday essentials, and personalised offers via the Co-op Membership App.
The franchise agreement aligns with growth ambitions across Co-op’s core businesses – Food Retail, B2B and Life Services – aiming to broaden reach and scale and, grow to eight million member-owners (from five million) by 2030.
Co-op has significant growth ambitions for its award-winning franchise business, targeting over 500 franchise stores by 2030, with a third of those in petrol forecourts. Core areas of growth are focussed on where Co-op can best utilise its leading convenience expertise with quality franchise partners, including petrol forecourts; universities and healthcare and, independent convenience retailers.
Co-op currently operates almost 2,400 food stores and provides products to over 6,000 other stores including those run by independent co-operative societies and through its wholesale business, Nisa Retail Limited.
More information about the benefits of Co-op Membership is available by visiting www.coop.co.uk/membership
For more information about Co-op franchise visit www.coop.co.uk/franchise
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About Co-op:
Co-op is one of the world’s largest consumer co-operatives with interests across food, funerals, insurance and legal services. Owned by millions of UK consumers, the Co-op operates almost 2,400 food stores, over 800 funeral homes and provides products to over 6,000 other stores, including those run by independent co-operative societies and through its wholesale business, Nisa Retail Limited. Employing 56,000 people, the Co-op has an annual turnover of over £11billion and is a recognised leader for its social goals and community-led programmes. The Co-op exists to meet members’ needs and stand up for the things they believe in.
About EG On The Move:
EG On The Move Ltd was part of EG Group but is now a subsidiary of EG Retail Services.
EG On The Move is a leading petrol forecourt and convenience retailer based in the United Kingdom, operating an extensive network of stores that provide a comprehensive range of products and services including fuel, foodservice, grocery and merchandise.
The company has carved out a niche in the retail sector by integrating traditional fuel services with modern convenience retailing, including electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.
Further information:
Andrew Torr, Senior Press Officer - Co-op Press Office
M: 07702505551
E: andrew.torr@coop.co.uk