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Co-op has announced the opening of its first dedicated ‘on-the-go’ food store in Solihull, in what the retailer describes as a UK-first format aimed at commuters and busy shoppers.
The new micro stores are around a quarter of the size of Co-op’s typical convenience branches and will operate with shorter opening hours of 7am to 7pm. Each outlet will focus on freshly prepared food-to-go, including hot and cold options, with a range of products not available in standard stores.
The retailer plans to open a further 15 sites in the coming months and has set a longer-term target of several hundred stores within three years.
Matt Hood, food managing director at Co-op, said: “We are always looking at new ways to deliver convenience to our members and customers and these new stores are a perfect example of us using our expertise to refine our ‘on the go’ offer so it is focused on giving shoppers exactly what they need, when they need it.”
The Co-op is also testing a new evening model in which the stores switch to “dark trading” for delivery, including cooked pizzas ordered to customers’ doors.
The retailer added that the format draws on food-to-go trends from Europe and Asia, aiming to combine quicker service with a more curated and higher quality offer.
