The Co-operative Group has completed its quest for UK domination with a food store in every postal code.
The retailer has unveiled a flagship store in The Strand, London WC2, bringing its offer to almost 3,000 food stores and 5,000 outlets overall.
The opening of the £1 million convenience store in central London marks a major milestone for the consumer-owned retailer which said the move “emphasises [its] unique community reach”.
The flagship store, which is open 24 hours, is spearheading The Co-operative's ambitious plans to open more than 300 food outlets over the next three years, creating around 7,000 jobs.
Following the acquisition of the Somerfield supermarket chain in March 2009, The Co-operative Food is already the UK’s fifth largest food retailer with nearly 3,000 stores nationwide.
The Co-operative's Strand store is also believed to be the first convenience store in the UK to be 100 per cent illuminated by innovative energy-saving LED lighting, which saves 35 per cent on lighting energy consumption.
Along with general store lighting all fridges, freezers and external signage use Philips LED lighting technology.
Protecting the environment by reducing energy consumption is a key element of The Co-operative's Ethical Operating Plan, which includes the toughest carbon reduction targets of any major business in the UK.
The expansion plans include a renewed focus on stores in city centre locations, including the capital, where The Co-operative is looking to increase its presence.
Speaking at the opening of the Strand store, group ceo Peter Marks said: "The Strand - just down the road from Buckingham Palace - will give us unique coverage across the UK and reaffirms our position as the UK's number one community retailer."
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