Universal Retail Group opens third Co-op franchise store in Wales

Co-op franchise partner Universal Retail Group has opened a new convenience store in Dumballs Road, Cardiff.  

The 2,500 sq ft store – located in a newly regenerated residential complex – operates as a Co-op franchise and follows Universal Retail Group’s previous launches of Co-op convenience stores in Wales, at Parc Derwen in January and Morriston in June.

“We are delighted to be opening our third Co-op store this year – following the success of our Co-op stores that we launched together in Parc Derwen and Morriston. The stores have had a great response, Co-op offers fantastic quality and value, and our team is enjoying becoming part of local community life – working to serve and support our communities together, conveniently,” Suresh Edirimuni, operations director of Universal Retail Group, said.

“The franchise family at Co-op really have gone above and beyond our expectations in getting us to this point and we really look forward to seeing how this partnership flourishes further. The operational model is a perfect fit for us and allows us to focus on growing the number of stores we operate.”

The new Cardiff store serves-up a Costa Coffee Express and in-store bakery along with a focus on fresh, chilled and healthy produce; meal ideas and everyday essentials; food-to-go and meal deals; Fairtrade products, flowers, chilled beers and award-winning wines; ready meals, pizzas and, free-from, vegan and plant-based products.

The online home delivery of groceries is available locally via Deliveroo and parcel collection services are available through an InPost Locker.

A soft plastic recycle unit is 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.

“The whole team is delighted to have the opportunity to launch the newest Co-op store in Wales – we are looking forward to welcoming our member-owners and customers into their brand-new Co-op,” Ieuan Feeley, Co-op store manager, said.

“Our aim is to operate at the heart of local life, and we have worked to develop the range, choice and added services to create a compelling offer to serve our community, conveniently.”

Co-op has confirmed ambitious plans to scale its award-winning franchise business to reach over 500 stores by 2030.