Co-op set to open first Welsh franchise store

Co-op is set to unveil its first Welsh franchise store this week on Thursday (18).

The convenience retailer is committed to growing its award-winning franchise business, with the model enabling Co-op to bring its products and, the benefits of Membership, to more communities. Its franchise partners have a unique opportunity to receive all the support, knowledge, training and technical expertise needed to open, own and operate a Co-op convenience store.

The 2,700 sq ft Parc Derwen store will open between 7am-10pm daily, and has created 16 local jobs. It includes an in-store bakery and Costa coffee alongside a focus on fresh, healthy products, meal ideas, everyday essentials, food-to-go, Fairtrade products, chilled beers and award winning wines, ready meals, pizzas and, free-from, vegan and plant-based products.

In addition, the online home delivery of groceries will be facilitated through Deliveroo – with groceries picked fresh in the store and delivered quickly and conveniently locally.

There is also a soft plastic recycle unit available in store to enable the community to recycle ‘soft plastics’ including crisp packets and bread bags, lids from ready meals and yogurt pots, biscuit wrappers and, pet food pouches - ensuring all Co-op’s own food packaging is recyclable through either local authority kerbside collections, or the in-store soft plastic recycling.

Martin Rogers, Director of Partnership Development, Co-op, said, “We are delighted to open our first franchise store in Wales. It is a tried and tested model, where our franchise partners utilise Co-op’s market leading convenience expertise to operate their own store under Co-op’s iconic brand – allowing us to bring Co-op products to more places, closer to where our member-owners and customers live and work. It is a channel we are focused on growing, as we work closely with partners of pedigree who share our values and principles in order to expand our Franchise operation.”

Suresh Edirimuni, Parc Derwen Store Manager, said, “We are delighted to launch to serve and support the Parc Derwen community, and really looking forward to welcoming Member-owners and customers into their new Co-op. Our aim is to operate at the heart of local life, and we’ve worked to develop the range, choice and services to create a compelling offer to serve and support our community, conveniently.”