Major enhance to UK excessive avenue as grocery store confirms 75 new shops opening in 2025

In the midst of a high street crisis and yet more bleak predictions of shops shutting down across the UK, Co-op has announced what their managing director describes as an “ambitious and exciting new stores strategy”

The high street has just suffered its worst year since coronavirus had us all trapped inside for days on end. According to The Centre for Retail Research (CRR), the new year isn’t looking any brighter withexperts predicting around 200,000 jobs could be lost as a result of shop closures.

But at least one major retailer is offering a glimmer of hope as the Co-op has announced plans to roll out yet more stores across the country. No fewer than 75, in fact, with the brand also planning to refurbish scores of existing sites.

The new stores will be both Co-op and franchise-run, building on an increase in franchises in 2024, including on more university campus sites, a first Co-op in a hospital as well as on petrol forecourts.

Matt Hood, Co-op’s managing director, said: “We want everyone to have easy and convenient access to a Co-op store, wherever they live, and this year we are completely focused on achieving that through an ambitious and exciting new stores strategy.

“Not only are we a membership organisation owned by our six million members, we are experts in convenience shopping, where we combine great quality products, value and deals and ethical retailing with quick online delivery services, community participation and additional customer services.”

The first new Co-op stores to open in early 2025 will be in Salford and Newcastle Upon Tyne.

The Co-op also announced plans to install up to 76,000 solar panels on up to 700 of its sites over the next three years.

In their recent budget, Labour introduced new policies that are said could hit businesses hard. They said as many as 202,000 jobs could be lost next year due to higher business rates and employment costs, introduced by Rachel Reeves in November.

Recent figures say this could cause a whopping £7billion hit for high streets, which are already struggling. Currently across the UK, 38 stores close per day, which is a huge 6,945 high street shops by September 2024.