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The Co-operative Group has opened its 15th franchise site with the launch of its Cornwall Services store, as the group reportedly aims to double its franchise portfolio by the end of the year.
The convenience retailer has now partnered with a number of diverse franchise owners, including independent retailers, university campuses, Nisa partners, the catering group Gather and Gather, and Costcutter.
Comprising 2,000 sq ft of retail space, the service station store will provide 20 local jobs and run on 100% renewable electricity.
Martin Rogers, head of new channels at the Co-op, told the Grocer that the firm has a “healthy pipeline” of sites, including five openings in the next six months.
He added: “It is a real example of how franchise[s] can extend the Co-op’s reach and gets Co-op into a space where it has never been before.
“Our franchise offering has gone from strength to strength as we focus on generating mutual value with forward thinking like-minded partners and our expertise and learnings in this area are helping us access new markets all over the country.”
Mark Upton, owner of the Cornwall Services store, said that the shop offers “a substantial range and competitive prices”, providing a “convenient solution” for tourists and locals alike.
Retail Sector has contacted the Co-op for further comment.
