Co-op has revealed plans to launch 18 new or revamped stores within the initial quarter of 2026. The inaugural Co-op store for 2026 is set to debut in the fresh Willowbrook Park development in Didcot, Oxfordshire.

Among these openings, certain stores will undergo refurbishments, including the convenience store in Eastern Green, Coventry, and a franchise-managed location in Ealing, London.

Kate McCrae, Co-op’s Operations Director, emphasized the company’s commitment to establishing local stores that serve as community hubs, offering quality products, value, and a variety of deals to cater to the needs of members and customers. McCrae expressed delight at the launch of the first store in Oxfordshire, marking the beginning of an active expansion strategy to bolster Co-op’s presence across the UK.

In a separate initiative, Co-op recently announced a £70 million investment to create 7,000 apprenticeships by 2030 through its Levy Share service. This program allows levy-paying employers to transfer unused apprenticeship levy funds, resulting in over 3,800 apprenticeships matched so far, with a focus on deprived communities and the care sector.

Claire Costello, Chief People and Inclusion Officer at Co-op, underscored the impact of the Co-op Levy Share program in generating opportunities from dormant funds. Costello highlighted the commitment to furthering the initiative by allocating £70 million to facilitate 7,000 apprenticeships by the end of the decade.

Co-op also advocated for the collection of socioeconomic data related to apprenticeships to ensure inclusivity and prevent certain groups from being overlooked in the system.