// Co-op opens its largest temporary store to date Barking Riverside.
// The 1,500 sq ft convenience store will support up to 15 local jobs
Co-op has opened its largest pop-up store to date, to serve customers at London’s Barking Riverside.
The retailer said that the temporary food store will serve both the community and existing residents at Barking Riverside before it moves into its new, permanent location, in a later phase of the development.
The 1,500 sq ft convenience store will support up to 15 local jobs and has been acquired by the Co-op on an initial three-year basis from Rapid Retail.
Click here to sign up to Retail Gazette‘s free daily email newsletter
The pop up comes complete with shop floor fittings, refrigeration, shelving and tills including self-serve, as well as the back-of-house that has a cold room and bakery facilities.
It is the Co-op’s first pop-up modular shop that has been supplied fully fitted out with all appliances included, designed to the convenience retailer’s specifications and the portable nature of the building also means it can be relocated afterwards.
Earlier this year it was confirmed that Rapid Retail had secured a supply agreement extension with Co-op, supporting the retailer’s commitment to serve and support communities where temporary structures provide a retail solution.
The new store includes customer car parking, Fairtrade coffee machine, bakery, Paypoint and Lottery, alongside a focus on fresh.
Co-op Regional Acquisition Manager Martyn Clarke said: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to launch Co-op’s newest store, and serve the community from our temporary, modular, store while we await the development of our new permanent home on the site. We are pleased to work with Rapid Retail, the units enable us to meet the needs of Members and customers locally and provide an ideal temporary solution.
“The store will work to operate at the heart of local life and the team are looking forward to welcoming Members and customers into their new Co-op – we have worked to create the range, choice, products and added services to create a really compelling offer to serve the community with Co-op’s quality and value, conveniently.”
