Sollas Co-op re-launches following major makeover and investment to serve and support Island community (North Uist)
12 October 2023
Co-op’s store in Sollas, North Uist, relaunches (Thursday, 12 October) with a fresh new-look and enhanced range following a major makeover and investment to serve and support the Island community.
The four-week programme of works and improvements to the 1,500 sq ft Island store – which supports nine local jobs – sees a new lay-out to increase the range of fresh products and everyday groceries, along with new refrigeration and, back-up storage and freezers to further support availability and resilience, particularly during the winter months when adverse weather can effect ferry crossings.
Opening between 7am-10pm, the store includes a focus on fresh, healthy products; meal ideas; everyday essentials and ingredients; food-to-go; Fairtrade products, chilled beers and award winning wines; ready meals, pizzas and, free-from; vegan and plant-based products. The Click and Collect of groceries will also be available from Co-op’s online shop shop.coop.co.uk
Cathina MacCorquodale, who has worked as store manager at the Co-op store for more than 20 years, said: “We have had a great response – we are very proud to serve our Island community, our aim is to operate at the heart of the local life – with many Members and customers seeing the store as a lifeline and, community hub. We are very excited to re-open the store, it has a great new-look and the investment will enable the store to improve the shopping experience and, better serve our community. We are enjoying welcoming Members and customers back into their Co-op. We have worked to develop the range, choice and added services to create a compelling offer, with a focus on delivering member-value so that the people who own our business, our members, benefit every time they shop.”
In August, Co-op announced its biggest ever single investment in pricing of £70 million, as it extended its ‘member-only’ pricing across everyday essentials, launching with a list of nearly 200 fixed lines including milk, eggs and bread, with a Co-op sliced loaf at just 76p.
The Co-op is one of the world’s largest consumer co-operatives. Its Members own the business and play an intrinsic part in the governance of the organisation, and enjoy a wide number of benefits including member-only pricing across everyday essentials, money back on own-brand purchases and personalised offers via the Co-op app.
Alongside Food, Co-op operates Funeralcare; Insurance and Legal Services. More information about the benefits of Co-op Membership is available by visiting www.coop.co.uk/membership
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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 over 2,400 food stores, over 800 funeral homes and provides products to over 5,000 other stores, including those run by independent co-operative societies and through its wholesale business, Nisa Retail Limited. Employing almost 60,000 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.
Further information:
Andrew Torr
Senior Press Officer, Co-op Press Office
M: 07702505551
E: andrew.torr@coop.co.uk or, pressoffice@coop.co.uk