The Co-op is opening 12 new stores in London over Christmas following a £9 million investment.
The influx of new shops will create hundreds of new jobs, accroding to the retailer, with the first locations to open on Southwark’s Rotherhithe Street, Portman Square in Westminster, and Hampton Road, Twickenham.
The stores open shortly after the Co-op announced a £45m distribution centre will be constructed in Bedfordshire to support its growth in London and the South East.
Stuart Hookins,Co-op’s property, strategy and development director, said:“2018 has been one of our most successful years of new store openings, with more than 100 new stores opening their doors across the UK, over a third of which are in London and the South East, and we’re always looking for new locations where we can be at the heart of local life.
“It’s extremely encouraging to see how the rapid growth rate of our store portfolio bucks most high-street retail trends. We believe our success is due to launching the right stores, in the right locations.
“Ultimately, it’s all about getting closer to our members and customers, providing what they want, when and where they need it. In addition to this, our continued investment into the quality of our own-label products has helped to change the perception of the brand which in turn changes consumer shopping habits.”
