The Co-op has closed five standalone “micro-stores” where it was trialling a food-to-go offer, but plans to continue offering elements of the concept in existing stores alongside its wider convenience range.
Launch and trial details
The five standalone stores were launched during 2025, starting in Solihull, West Midlands, at the end of July. In December, the retailer also fitted elements of the concept into a further five existing stores in Yorkshire and London, placing the “on the go” proposition alongside Co-op’s broader grocery offer.
The standalone sites were about one-quarter of the size of a typical Co-op convenience store. At launch, the retailer had hoped to open a further 15 “over the coming months” with a longer-term ambition of reaching several hundred in the next two to three years.
Decision to close
A Co-op spokesperson said: “At Co-op, our food-on-the-go offer is central to our convenience strategy, and we are focussed on driving sustainable growth. “Our focus was on the fast launch and learn of the proposition and following review of their longer-term viability, we have taken the decision to close our five stand-alone food-on-the-go locations. “Where the concept works at its best is integrated into our existing stores, alongside our wider grocery offer.”
“Where we have retro-fitted the new concept into our existing stores we see strong, successful and sustainable opportunities to further elevate and grow the new proposition, combining breakfast, lunch and dinner on-the-go alongside the convenience of Co-op’s broader grocery range in our existing high foot-traffic locations. “Our focus moving forward will be on the five retro-fitted sites that we operate and identifying further existing stores where we can integrate elements of the concept.”
Concept features and next steps
The bespoke store design aimed to cater to “on-the-go” key meal solutions throughout the day, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner in new formats, from traditional meal deals to hot food served over the counter – a first for the Co-op – and a new deli selection offering product innovation “for any time of the day”.
The offer included Costa Coffee, hot baguettes, buttermilk chicken tenders and protein pots, “taking cues from around the world”. New product development exclusive to the micro-stores was set to include all-day breakfast meal pots, Berry Burst Bircher and Apple & Cinnamon overnight oats. For lunch, a new deli selection was to serve offerings such as smoked salmon, egg and spinach pots; sweet potato bhaji wrap; falafel and houmous salad bowls, and tomato, mozzarella and pesto focaccia bagels. Co-op’s Irresistible pizzas were also available to buy cooked in-store, with shoppers given the option to purchase a hot slice or full pizza. Opening times were between 7am and 7pm.
