Mills Group has become the latest retailer to sell some of its small supermarkets.

The c-store chain acquired eight stores from The Co-operative Group last year, taking the retailer into small supermarkets for the first time. However, it has been revealed that the retailer sold a store in Haxby, York, in September. It will also exercise a six-month break option in the lease at a store in the Newcastle area soon.

"We bought a package from The Co-op and are selling or closing sites we do not wish to hold in the future," said MD Nigel Mills.

A number of indies have closed former Co-op sites. Haldanes closed two and failed to open a third, while Appleby Westward has closed a Eurospar store. The Co-op is also struggling with former Somerfields. In April, data revealed sales were down 12.2% year-on-year.