Co-op has today revealed a new chain of food-for-now stores, designed to highlight the convenience retailer’s strength in ‘on-the-go’ retail through a distinctive and forward-thinking store concept, positioned in high footfall locations.

In a UK first for a national grocer, and unlike anything currently in the Co-op estate, the new ‘on-the-go’ format is approximately one-quarter the size of a typical Co-op convenience store*. With new trading hours and a specially curated range, the format caters to rising consumer demand for grab-and-go food options.

The first of these new stores opens today (Thursday, 31 July) in Solihull, with 15 more planned in the coming months. The longer-term vision is to open several hundred over the next two to three years

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The tailored design and offer will focus on key meal occasions throughout the day, with breakfast, lunch and dinner served in a variety of formats. These include traditional meal deals, a new over-the-counter hot food offer – a first for Co-op – and a new deli-selection range providing product development designed for any time of day. Shoppers can drop in for a Costa Coffee, hot baguette, buttermilk chicken tenders, or protein pots for a quick hot lunch.

Built on Co-op's expertise in convenience and inspired by international trends, the new concept is designed to deliver high-quality food on the go. It blends best-in-class elements from European and Far Eastern ‘serviced-over’ food-to-go formats, offering freshly prepared, time-specific meals aimed at busy high street consumers.

Matt Hood, Co-op's Food MD, 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. It’s a brand-new concept, which we believe there is a big demand for and which we can meet with delicious products, quick service, good value and spot on locations. I’m excited to see this evolution of Co-op stores, join our traditional convenience stores across the UK.“

Exclusive product development for these micro stores includes all-day breakfast pots, berry burst bircher, and apple and cinnamon overnight oats. The deli-selection line features smoked salmon, egg and spinach pots, sweet potato bhaji wraps, falafel and houmous salad bowls, and tomato, mozzarella & pesto focaccia bagels.

For the first time, Co-op’s Irresistible pizzas will be available cooked in-store, allowing customers to purchase either a hot slice or a full pizza. The drinks range includes hot and cold options, award-winning wines and a curated selection of single-serve ready-to-drink cocktails.

In another move away from Co-op’s traditional model, these stores will operate with new trading hours: open from 7am to 7pm. The next stage will introduce evening ‘dark trading’, including delivery of hot Irresistible pizzas, as Co-op expands its share of the food-for-now market.

The format also enhances Co-op’s Quick Commerce capabilities and marks an entry into a new segment of the convenience market. Supporting Co-op’s growth strategy, the initiative brings the retailer’s quality, value and membership benefits to new communities with maximum convenience.

For more information on Co-op membership, visit: coop.co.uk/membership