Co-op is expanding its university campus presence with new franchise stores set to open at the University of Glasgow and University of Birmingham ahead of the new academic year.
The new outlets will operate as Co-op franchise stores and are designed to enhance grocery convenience for students, staff and visitors across both Russell Group universities.
Co-op said the stores will focus on fast and convenient shopping, with multiple self-service tills aimed at helping manage high footfall during busy periods on campus.
“We’re delighted to confirm our latest Franchise partnerships and to be working with the Universities of Birmingham and Glasgow,” Jonathan Perry, head of franchise development at Co-op, said.
“These stores are designed to become genuine campus hubs, offering quality products, great value with a proposition tailored to the pace and needs of university life.”
The openings will take Co-op’s total number of university campus stores to 14. The retailer already operates stores at Russell Group university campuses in Leeds, Newcastle and Warwick, with its Warwick site described as the largest Co-op store located on a university campus.
The expansion comes as Co-op continues to grow its franchise business across university campuses, petrol forecourts, hospitals and with independent retailers.
The retailer said franchise store numbers increased 16 per cent to 65 sites by the end of 2025, with plans to exceed 100 franchise stores during 2026.
Co-op added that its campus stores currently serve an estimated university population of more than 200,000 people, up 25 per cent year-on-year, with that figure expected to surpass 300,000 in 2026.
The retailer also said its membership proposition was proving popular with students and younger shoppers, with more than 50,000 new members joining through its franchise operation in 2025.