Southern Co-op adds 12 new stores to its franchise package last year

Southern Co-op said 12 new stores joined its ‘Welcome’ fascia in 2019.

The independent co-operative now has 34 franchise stores with a total of 20 franchisees. Last year it took five new partnerships.

“We are proud to have attracted a range of experienced retailers to our co-operative family who have all welcomed our points of difference,” commented Mike Fitton, franchise business manager at Southern Co-op.

“We offer more personalised support which starts as soon as they sign up and continues every day via our dedicated franchise operations managers.”

Fitton added that the group is under discussions with new and existing franchisees to add more Welcome stores across the south.

Franchisee Prateek Shukla, who moved to Welcome in 2018 and opened a second Welcome in Swiss Cottage, London, in April 2019, said: “Since changing to Welcome a year ago my year-on-year sales are up by 20 percent with minimal conversion costs for me, so the decision to transfer my second store to the Welcome fascia was a no brainer.

“I’ve lowered my retail prices and maintained my percentage margin and increased my cash profit! My customers love the new offer.”

Southern Co-op said it encourages the franchisees to supply customers with local produce to compliment the Co-op range.

“We’ll be progressing even further in the new decade offering our franchisees the best of the Co-op product ranges whilst keeping their independence and ability to make local decisions,” Fitton added.