Heart of England Co-op has introduced a new format store centred on food-to-go, convenience and coffee as it opened its 40th food store in Warwick.
The 2,200 sq ft store has been designed around changing shopper needs and wider consumer missions, with the retailer putting a particular focus on food-to-go.
It features an all-day hot food counter offering made-to-order products from Heart of England Co-op’s own-label DeliCo brand. The range includes hot sandwiches, cooked breakfasts, jacket potatoes, pizza, pancakes, soft-serve ice cream and desserts.
The store also houses a 1,200 sq ft Bewiched Coffee Shop, operated through a franchise agreement. It marks the fourth coffee shop venture between Heart of England Co-op and Bewiched Coffee.
Alongside food-to-go and coffee, the store offers everyday grocery essentials as well as products from the retailer’s Local at Heart range, which showcases products from local producers and suppliers.
The new Warwick store has created 45 jobs, with Heart of England Co-op positioning the investment as part of its commitment to supporting local communities and high streets.
The opening event featured tastings, giveaways, stilt walkers and mascots, with local businesses and community groups also attending.
The launch comes after Heart of England Co-op reported an improvement in its financial performance for the year ended 24 January. While the society recorded a pre-tax loss of £59,000, this represented a significant improvement on the £3.2m loss reported in the previous year. Sales also increased during the year.
Heart of England Co-op said the new format was designed to create a modern food retail destination that responds to evolving consumer demand.
Making the announcement, Paul Strong, CEO of Heart of England Co-op, stated, "The store looks incredible. It represents a huge step forward in our store design, innovation and proposition, reflecting changing customer habits and how we want to serve our communities for the future.
"A key part of our strategy is the growth of our Deli Co Food to Go brand, and Warwick really brings that ambition to life. From a hot Full English breakfast and pancakes, to a fantastic selection of hot and cold sandwiches, salads, jacket potatoes and pizzas — alongside incredible desserts, ice cream and coffee. The challenge was given to the team 18 weeks ago and you have smashed it!
"All of this sits alongside a strong fresh and grocery offer, with local products at the heart of the store. We’re also opening our 4th Bewiched coffee location, with more to follow later this year as we continue to grow our coffee proposition."