Co-op has announced plans to open and reopen 18 stores across the UK in the first quarter of 2026, as part of a transformative investment to enhance shopping experiences in local high streets and communities. The first new store will launch in the Willowbrook Park neighbourhood in Didcot, Oxfordshire.
The list includes both brand-new locations and existing branches undergoing extensive refurbishments. Among the first to reopen after significant revamps are a convenience store in Eastern Green, Coventry, and a franchise-operated outlet in Ealing, London.
Co-op stores will offer coffee, bakery items, Fairtrade products, and fresh produce, alongside new services such as payment facilities, parcel collection and returns, and online grocery home delivery. Kate McCrae, Co-op's Operations Director, said: 'We're focused on creating local stores which are more than just a shop, they are a hub locally that contribute to local life and conveniently meet the needs of communities.'
The supermarket chain noted that approximately 86 per cent of the UK population can access Co-op groceries online via its own shop and partners including Just Eat, Deliveroo, and Uber Eats. Co-op is also providing soft plastic recycling facilities in stores for items like crisp packets, bread bags, and pet food pouches.
The full list of new and revamped stores opening in early 2026 has been released, though specific locations beyond Didcot, Eastern Green, and Ealing were not detailed in the announcement.
