Co-op is opening 18 new or refurbished stores (Image: Getty)
Co-op has announced it will open 18 new or refurbished shops in the first quarter of the year. In a major boost to high streets around the UK, the retailer said on Friday that customers are already being welcomed through the doors at the first of its new outlets in Didcot, Oxfordshire.
A Co-op franchise in Ealing, west London, and a Co-op convenience store in Eastern Green, Coventry, have also reopened after they were closed for major makeovers. Kate McCrae, Operations Director at Co-op, said in a statement: « We’re focussed on creating local stores which are more than just a shop – they are a hub locally that contribute to local life and conveniently meet the needs of communities. »
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She added: « I’m delighted to see our first new store of 2026 open in Oxfordshire as we start 2026 with an active store opening programme to increase and enhance Co-op’s presence in high streets and communities all across the UK. »
Co-op said the new openings showed its ongoing commitment to Britain’s high streets. Announcing the news, Co-op hailed its focus on creating shops which offer « great » quality and value alongside extras such as payment services, parcel collection and returns.
The retailer said its online delivery service can now be accessed by 86% of the UK population via its online shop as well as Just Eat, Deliveroo and Uber Eats.
Already this month Co-op unveiled its « Taste of Asia » range and completed the launch of its own brand, GLP-1 friendly meals for people looking to lose weight or with diabetes.
Co-op’s move comes as supermarket giants vie for position in Britain’s fiercely competitive grocery market.
Earlier this month, Lidl announced it would open 19 new shops within eight weeks as part of its own « ambitious » growth plans to expand across the UK.
Marks & Spencer said it would be expanding its range of « value » food items as it sought to position itself as a competitor of the « big six » supermarkets with families.
The retail giant this month revealed it saw a record number of shoppers visit its food halls over Christmas.
Sainsbury’s and Tesco were also among those hailing their festive food sales results. Tesco said it was expecting £3.1billion in profit after an « intense » Christmas period.
Tesco, the UK’s biggest grocery chain, cheered an increase in its share of the overall market to 28.7% over the final quarter of 2025 – its highest for more than a decade.
Boss Ken Murphy said competition among supermarkets to attract shoppers was « relentless », with value-for-money remaining a priority for people.
Sainsbury’s revealed a jump in festive grocery sales with strong demand from customers for its premium, own-brand range « Taste the Difference ».
Where and when are the new or refurbished Co-op shops due to open?
Ealing, London – January 14
Kilburn Place, Didcot, Oxfordshire – January 16
Eastern Green, Coventry – January 16
Fernhill Road, Cove, Hampshire – February 13
Totton, Southampton – February 20
Main Street, Killearn, Stirling – February 26
Main Street, Farnsfield, Newark – February 26
Cruden Bay, Aberdeenshire – February 26
Sidmouth, Devon – February 27
Straits Parade, Bristol – February 27
Westgate, Skelmersdale, Lancashire – February 27
Lustrells Vale, Saltdean, East Sussex – March 5
High Street, Marske, North Yorkshire – March 12
High Street, Worle, Somerset – March 12
Tarbert, Argyll – March 12
Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire – March 27
Whitemans Green, Cuckfield, West Sussex – March 27
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