Co-op has extended its transport partnership with GXO Logistics in a new five-year agreement to strengthen its UK supply chain.

The deal covers GXO’s transport operations at Avonmouth, Andover and Lea Green, supporting deliveries to more than 1,000 Co-op stores across the UK.

The agreement will take the partnership between the two businesses beyond 20 years, with GXO continuing to manage key parts of Co-op’s transport network.

Co-op head of logistics operations Stuart Rendall said the extension would help the retailer maintain a “world class resilient supply and logistics operation” across its estate.

“As a convenience retailer, we are focused on running a world class resilient supply and logistics operation to provide our customers with the products they want to buy from our 2,300 stores across the UK,” he said.

“We have successfully worked with GXO over many years to this end, and we are looking forward to the next chapter in our partnership.”

GXO said it would work with Co-op to improve efficiency, service and resilience across the retailer’s transport operations, drawing on its experience in FMCG logistics.

GXO UK and Ireland food and beverage managing director Chris Hyde said the renewal reflected the service delivered by its teams for “one of our longest-standing partners”.

“Our scale and depth of expertise across the UK and Ireland means that we can bring continuous improvements to Co-op’s supply chain,” he said.

The partnership also includes a community element, with GXO colleagues across the Co-op transport network contributing more than 1,500 hours of volunteering and engagement over the past year.

Teams have also raised funds for charities including Barnardo’s and the British Heart Foundation, while GXO works with three Co-op academies through mentoring, employability workshops and site engagement.

Co-op operates more than 2,300 food stores across the UK and is owned by around 7.2 million active member-owners.

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