Two Co-op food stores in Worcestershire are set to receive a combined £1m investment to transform the stores - enhancing range and choice to better serve their communities.
A pop-up Co-op shop is continuing to serve the Dines Green community with a wide range of every day essentials while the Gresham Road store embarks on a major makeover - the store is planned to re-open on Thursday, 20 February, following a £550k programme of investment.
The Co-op’s Ronkswood food store is also soon set to embark on a six-figure refurbishment, and will re-launch on 12 March.
Both stores will run on 100% renewable electricity, and see an enhanced in-store bakery, and increased focus on fresh, healthy foods, meal ideas, food-to-go, award-winning wines, every day essentials, and, the Co-op’s exclusive new vegan brand, GRO.
The stores also bring a funding boost locally though the Co-op’s Membership scheme - Members receive a 5% reward when they purchase own brand products and services, with the Co-op donating a further 1% to community causes.
Students in Worcestershire holding the TOTUM card (the new name for NUS extra) also pocket a 10% discount off their groceries at the Co-op.
Jon Bottomley, Co-op Area Manager, said, “We are delighted to have the opportunity to invest such a significant amount in our stores in the Worcester area – they will have a great new look and range, and I am confident it will enable the Co-op to better serve our communities.
'Our aim is to establish stores at the heart of local life, creating value and making a difference in our communities – it is all about getting closer to our members and customers, providing what they want, need and care about, conveniently. We look forward to welcoming customers old and new into their new-look Co-op stores.”
The Co-op picked up the Convenience Retailer of the Year and Food-to-go Retailer of the Year titles at the latest Retail Industry Awards.
Co-op is owned by around 4.6m active Members, and alongside food, it operates: Funeralcare, insurance, health and legal services.