Co-op has today (31 July) unveiled a bold new store format aimed at tapping into the fast-growing food-to-go market, with the launch of its first ‘on-the-go’ micro-store in Solihull, near Birmingham.
This marks the beginning of a new chapter for the convenience retailer, with plans to open 14 more stores in the coming months, including five in London, to roll out several hundred over the next two to three years.
A UK-first among national grocers, the new ‘on-the-go’ stores are purpose-built for high-footfall urban locations and designed to serve the growing ‘grab-and-go’ culture.
At around one-quarter the size of a typical Co-op convenience shop, these outlets feature unique opening hours (7am–7pm), dedicated food-for-now ranges, and an innovative store design focused on speed, quality, and flexibility.
They will sell ready meals, such as pizzas and lasagne to heat up at home, alcoholic and soft drinks, and basic essentials such as toothpaste alongside staffed hot food counters and food in heated cabinets. Unlike many convenience stores, they will not sell cigarettes or vapes.
However, the company has developed 35 new products for the new format, such as all day-breakfast meal pots and smoked salmon, egg and spinach pots.
The store will also have Costa Coffee, hot baguettes, buttermilk chicken tenders, and protein pots, along with an extensive deli-inspired range such as falafel and houmous salad bowls, sweet potato bhaji wraps, and tomato, mozzarella and pesto focaccia bagels.
The format supports breakfast, lunch, and dinner occasions with exclusive product development including Berry Burst Bircher, Apple & Cinnamon overnight oats, and all-day breakfast meal pots. A curated drinks range includes single-serve cocktails and award-winning wines.
In a further innovation, post 7 pm, stores will transition to “dark stores”, sending out home deliveries of food and groceries into the evening.in the evening, fulfilling delivery orders including cooked pizzas through Co-op’s quick commerce channels, another step in the retailer’s push to increase its share in the fast-moving food-for-now segment.
Matt Hood, managing director of Co-op Food, 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.”'
The format, said to be inspired by similar setups in Japan and China, would help the Co-op grab a bigger slice of the breakfast and dinner market alongside its existing strength in lunch products such as sandwiches.