The Co-op news and analysis
The Co-op is a British convenience retailer with more than 2,500 stores, known for its member-owned business model. It runs a membership scheme that rewards shoppers and supports local causes. The Grocer covers the Co-op with news, analysis, insight and opinion, including developments in store formats, sustainability initiatives, and competitive positioning.
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NewsCo-op extends online delivery hours for football fans on match nights
The convenience retailer said home deliveries would run up to an hour after the final whistle for all six England and Scotland group stage matches
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Range PreviewCo-op launches Premium Small Plates range
Co-op is launching 25 new small plates to its premium Irresistible range built around Mediterranean flavours and easy sharing
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NewsCMA opens consultation on Co-op Group and Southern Co-op deal
The merger between Southern Co-op and the Co-operative Group was confirmed on 21 May
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NewsOurCoop faces member backlash over executive bonuses amid profit slump
A source told The Grocer colleagues had previously been informed bonuses would not be paid this year because of business performance
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NewsLincolnshire Co-op partners with Holland & Barrett to boost wellbeing offer
The range has been introduced into 28 of its 94 food stores, spanning products such as omega fish oil, collagen tablets and multivitamins
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NewsSouthern Co-op merger with Co-op Group confirmed
The merger is set to create an organisation with sales of circa £11.5bn
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NewsAsda launches £5 premium lunchtime meal deal to undercut rivals
Asda said it had deliberately undercut rivals’ premium deals
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NewsChris Packham calls for Co-op CEO to ban ‘Frankenchickens’
Packham has called on the supermarket to stop sourcing ultra-fast-growing chicken breeds known as ‘Frankenchickens’
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NewsCo-op lands two more university campus stores in Birmingham and Glasgow
The stores are catered to the needs of the student, research and teacher populations, according to the Co-op
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NewsHeart of England Co-op freezes prices on essentials as shoppers feel the pinch
Products protected from price increases span meat, fruit, vegetable and dairy products
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NewsCo-op launches national digital screen advertising proposition
Co-op’s network of more than 1,000 digital advertising screens on the front of its stores makes it the fourth-largest digital screen estate in the UK
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NewsCo-op sets sights on 100 franchise sites as expansion accelerates
The convenience retailer said franchise stores enabled it to ‘bring the benefits of membership to new and diverse communities’
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NewsSouthern Co-op expands partnership with Snappy Shopper
The society has now rolled out the home delivery service to 140 stores, which represents around 80% of its food estate
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NewsSouthern Co-op members overwhelmingly back merger plans
A vote at a Special General Meeting held today saw 97.07% of Southern Co-op members backing the plans
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Comment & OpinionSouthern Co-op’s merger must go ahead if it is to adapt and survive
Without intervention, Southern Co-op would likely not be able to continue trading in its current form, say CEO Ben Stimson and chair Janet Paraskeva
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Comment & OpinionSouthern Co-op’s dismissal of OurCoop raises big questions
I first noticed there was a problem with Southern Co-op in early March, when staff told me they no longer supplied the 20p bags. If you are cutting costs at the sharp end, there is a problem, says Tom Blair, a former director of Southern Co-op
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NewsCo-op raises concerns over food security as imported meat soars
The amount of meat imported into the UK amounted to £5bn last year, a rise of 15% year on year
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Comment & OpinionEditor’s picks: Southern Co-op merger latest, whisky tariffs, election promises
In the latest chapter of grocery’s very own soap opera, Southern Co-op has rejected an approach from the UK’s largest independent co-operative society, OurCoop, which appeared to offer an alternative to its proposed merger with the Co-op Group
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NewsSouthern Co-op dismisses partnership approach from OurCoop
OurCoop made an initial approach to Southern on 20 April in a letter to Southern Co-op chair Janet Paraskeva from OurCoop president Elaine Dean and CEO Debbie Robinson
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NewsLidl matches Morrisons in grocery market share again
Lidl’s sales rose by 8.8% year on year in the 12 weeks to 19 April 2026, to put it again level in market share with Morrisons