Independent retailer set to open five more Co-op franchise stores

Independent retailer Sivathasan Kailasapillai is all set open five more stores over the next four months with Co-op, taking the total number of his franchise stores to eight.

The investment of more than £2m will see Siva expanding his portfolio and by the end of the summer he will have Co-op stores in Barking, Dewsbury, Westhoughton, Northolt, Wakefield, Andover, Ripon and Thornton.

Entering the grocery retail as a manager at a supermarket in 2000, Siva opened his first independent grocery stores in Chiswick in 2005 and employs around 100 colleagues across his estate. He opened his first Co-op franchise last yearin Barking.

“The Co-op model has the capability to support me and my stores across the country and makes it easy for them to just run on their own,” he said.

“I care deeply about the quality of products I can offer my customers, as well as paying a fair price to the people behind the products so have many alignments with Co-op and their values. As a retailer I know the role I can play in the community and I know by working with Co-op and I can do even more for them and help support those that need it.”

Martin Rogers, head of new channels at Co-op, said: “We’re looking for the right retailers in the right locations who share our values and principles to grow with us and we are delighted that Siva has chosen Co-op to be his franchise partner. He’s already at the heart of so many communities and we’re really excited to see how his estate continues to grow and thrive and how our partnership develops.”