The Co-op is preparing to launch three new food stores this week after acquiring the convenience store venues from Waitrose in June.
The new stores are located at Birmingham’s Colmore Row, Manchester’s Spinningfields and another near Piccadilly Railway Station in the same city.
Co-op said a fourth store will also open at London’s Portman Square at the start of next month.
All stores are take up around 3000sq ft on average and were formally known as Little Waitrose.
The new stores come after the Co-op struck a deal the John Lewis Partnership in June, after it announced plans to close five Waitrose stores, including four Little Waitrose convenience stores plus one small supermarket.
The Co-op’s acquisition of the four Little Waitrose stores subsequently saved dozens of jobs.
“We are pleased to have been able to work with Waitrose to agree the purchase of four of its convenience stores,” Co-op portfolio director Stuart Hookins said.
“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.
“We’re working to create stronger communities and offering great quality products conveniently, when and where our members and customers need them.”
The new stores form part of the Co-op’s plan to roll out 100 new stores in 2018.
Click here to sign up to Retail Gazette‘s free daily email newsletter
