Co-op to open first franchise store in Wales
Co-op is to open its first Welsh franchise store this week in the Parc Derwen area of Bridgend.
Spanning 2,700 square feet, the store features an in-store bakery and Costa coffee offering and will stock everyday essentials, food-to-go, Fairtrade products, chilled beers and wines, as well as ready meals, pizzas, and free-from, vegan and plant-based products.
Suresh Edirimuni, Parc Derwen store manager, said: “We are delighted to launch to serve and support the Parc Derwen community, and really looking forward to welcoming Member-owners and customers into their new Co-op.
“Our aim is to operate at the heart of local life, and we’ve worked to develop the range, choice and services to create a compelling offer to serve and support our community, conveniently.”
Co-op is committed to growing its franchise business as it looks to take the benefits of membership to more communities.
Martin Rogers, director of partnership development at Co-op, said: “We are delighted to open our first franchise store in Wales. It is a channel we are focused on growing, as we work closely with partners of pedigree who share our values and principles in order to expand our franchise operation.”
Co-op operates around 40 franchise stores and launched new stores in Brackley in Northamptonshire and Charfield in Gloucestershire in December.
The Parc Derwen shop will open on 18 January.
