Three former little Waitrose stores that were taken over by the Co-op Group in June are re-opening this week in Birmingham and Manchester.
The shops are based in city centre locations – two in Manchester, in Spinningfields and near Piccadilly railway station, and a third on Birmingham’s Colmore Row.
The Group acquired four stores from Waitrose earlier in June. The remaining store is located in London’s Portman Square and will open at the beginning of November.
Stuart Hookins, the Co-op’s director of property portfolio and development, said: “We are pleased to have been able to work with Waitrose to agree the purchase of four of its convenience stores.
“Our acquisition and refit programme forms a fundamental part of our food strategy – we are working to get closer to our members and customers, and we are continually looking for exciting new communities where our stores can be at the heart of local life – working to create stronger communities and offering great quality products conveniently, when and where our members and customers need them.”
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The new stores will provide fresh, healthy foods, coffee, in-store bakery, hot food, food to go, award winning wines and essentials. Over the course of the week, they will be offering offers and promotions to mark their launch.
Customers will also be able to join the society as members to receive a 5% reward on purchases of own brand products, with the Co-op donating a further 1% to local causes.
Mr Hookins added: “We also want customers to know that they can become a co-owner and member of their Co-op, and that we are giving back to the community. Our members make a difference locally, simply by swiping their membership card when they shop with us they are raising much needed funding for organisations in the area who contribute to improving local life.”
The Group aims to open 100 new stores in 2018 for a third consecutive year.
